Written by Edzard Ernst and the CAM-Cancer Consortium.
Updated April 22, 2010

Shark cartilage

Abstract and key points

  • Medication is made from the cartilage of two shark species
  • There is no good evidence from five controlled and eight uncontrolled trials that it is of benefit for cancer patients
  • No major safety concerns have been reported
  • The risk-benefit balance of shark cartilage fails to be positive

Shark cartilage is a popular anti-cancer remedy, which is obtained from the cartilage of mainly two shark species.

Even though some basic research suggests that shark cartilage has anti-angiogenic effects, there is no evidence to show that it is helpful in the treatment of cancer. Five controlled studies (one of which does not include cancer patients but healthy participants) and eight uncontrolled and were identified from the literature.

Records of adverse effects exist for the oral supplementation of shark cartilage as well as the injection or enema procedure but no serious events are on record.

The risk-benefit balance fails to be positive.

Citation Edzard Ernst, CAM-Cancer Consortium. Shark cartilage [online document]. http://www.cam-cancer.org/CAM-Summaries/Biologically-Based-Practices/Shark-cartilage. April 22, 2010.

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