Phase III, Single-Center, Open Label, Trial Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of PectaSol-C Modified Citrus Pectin on PSA Kinetics in Prostate Cancer in the Setting of Serial Increases in PSA

This study on the effect of PectaSol-C Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP) with subjects selected on the basis of documented PC post local therapy, and biochemical relapse, with linear progression of at least 3 PSA tests in at least 3 months. After initial screening, treatment {4.8 grams (6 capsules) three times a day away from meals} will continue for 6 months provided patients are showing benefit and tolerating the therapy well. Patient tolerability of MCP will be assessed by comparing the results of monthly self-assessment diaries with baseline assessments.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, except for non melanoma skin cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer related death in men. About 33% of prostate cancer patients treated with primary therapy (surgery or radiation) will recur in the form of non metastatic biochemically relapsed prostate cancer (BRPC-M0). In these patients, PSA is rising while scans are negative for metastasis. Recent surveys demonstrated that approximately 40% of prostate cancer patients use various complementary and alternative medicine modalities as a component of therapy. Currently, there is no standard treatment for biochemical failure with proven benefits. Patients are being encouraged to enroll in clinical trials to help establish standards of care. Studies have shown that in 80% of patients with BRPC-M0, PSA will rise by at least 25% every 6 months.

Native pectin is a complex carbohydrate soluble fiber. Dietary fibers, such as pectin, have been shown to have positive effects on a wide spectrum of pathological conditions. Their positive influence on human health is explained by their antioxidative, hypocholesterolemic, and anticancer effects. MCP is composed of short, slightly-branched, carbohydrate chains derived from the soluble albedo fraction of citrus fruit peels, which have been altered by decreasing the molecular weight and degree of esterification using pH, temperature, and a controlled enzymatic process. This specific modification is critical as it allows for the absorption of MCP into the circulatory system and ensures its targeted bioactivity throughout the body. MCP is relatively rich in galactose and thus antagonizes the binding protein galectin-3 which results in suppression of cancer cell aggregation, adhesion, and metastasis. MCP acts as a ligand for galectin-3, which plays a major role in tumor formation and progression. It has been shown using a combination of fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and atomic force microscopy, that pectin galactan specifically binds to the recombinant form of human galectin-3.

MCP showed anti-metastatic effects on cancer cells in multiple in vitro and in vivo studies. MCP inhibits carbohydrate mediated tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis via effects on galectin-3 function as demonstrated in an animal study on MCP's inhibition of breast and colon cancer progression. Results demonstrated a 70.2% reduction in breast tumor growth, a 66% reduction in breast angiogenesis, and 0% breast to lung metastasis compared to 100% in the control group; 0% colon to liver metastasis compared to 60% in the control group; and 25% colon to lymph metastasis compared to 100% in the control group. In an earlier study oral intake of MCP had been shown to act as a potent inhibitor of spontaneous prostate carcinoma metastasis in an animal model, demonstrating a significant 56% reduction in lung metastases. Human cancer cell lines (LNCaP androgen dependent & PC3 androgen independent) and mouse prostate cancer cell lines (CASP2-1 androgen dependent and CASP1-1 androgen independent) treated with 1% MCP showed the following cytotoxicity due to induced apoptosis: 52.28% in LNCaP; 48.16% in PC3; 23.03% in CASP2-1; and 49.01% in CASP1-1.13 The effects of MCP on cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions mediated by carbohydrate-recognition were investigated by looking at MCP-inhibited B16-F1 melanoma cells adhesion and aggregation. MCP was shown to inhibit anchorage-independent growth of B16-F1 cells. These results indicate that carbohydrate-recognition by cell surface galectin-3 is involved in cell-extracellular matrix interaction and plays a role in anchorage-independent growth as well as the in vivo embolization of tumor cells. The modulation of the lung colonization of B16-F1 melanoma cells by MCP was first observed in 1992 when injection of MCP significantly decreased B16-F1 experimental metastasis (greater than 90%). Galectin-3 participation in the adhesion of the MDA-MB-435 cells to the endothelium was observed by the clustering of galectin-3 on endothelial cells at the sites of the contact with tumor cells, suggesting its potential functional significance for anti-adhesive therapy of cancer metastasis. The anti-metastatic effect of MCP has also been shown in reduced liver metastasis in a dose-dependent manner. The use of MCP in combination with the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin has demonstrated an increased cytotoxicity effect of inducing rapid cell death in prostate cancer cell lines DU-145 (androgen independent) through apoptosis, and in LNCaP (androgen dependant) through cell cycle arrest (G2-M arrest). These results show promise for the use of MCP with doxorubicin as an adjuvant to chemotherapy which may allow for lower dosage of the cancer drug to be used with less toxicity. A human clinical pilot trial with MCP showed an increase in prostate specific antigen doubling time, a marker of slowing the progression of prostate cancer. Clinical research on MCP also demonstrated a significant improvement in quality of life and stabilization of disease for patients with advanced solid tumors.

In addition to its therapeutic roles against cancer, MCP has been shown to remove toxic metals from the body without affecting essential minerals. In a clinical study, baseline levels of heavy metals and essential minerals were established with 24-hours urine collection prior to oral administration of MCP. 24-hours urine collection was repeated on days 1 and 6. Urinary excretion of lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic increased significantly, essential minerals were not changed significantly and no side effects were reported. In a hospital study in China, children with lead toxicity were given MCP. Their blood serum levels went down while corresponding lead levels in their urine increased significantly, without side effects.