How well does Megamin work?
A search was carried out in Pubmed. Six overviews and five preclinical trials were retrieved. Only one study was identified as a clinical trial (ref 6), as the majority of the studies were not published by independent scientists. No randomized controlled trials were found.
In in-vivo studies, TMAZ has shown a direct effect on malignant cells. Zarkovic showed a reduction of pulmonary metastases in mice by administration of a combination of doxorubicin and TMAZ (ref 7). Pavelic reported an antimetastatic and immunostimulatory effect (NK-cell-activation and induction of apoptosis) of TMAZ in mice, as well as TMAZ inhibition of protein kinase B and induction of expression of tumour suppressor proteins (ref 8).
TMAZ has shown a potential to improve adverse effects of conventional therapy modalities in rodent models. Muck-Seler reported a decrease of binding to serotonergic receptors in the brain of mice with mammary carcinoma, which indicates a likely antiemetic effect (ref 9). Martin-Kleiner reported an influence of electrolytes and erratic effects on haematopoiesis in TMAZ-treated mice (ref 10). Tatrai could not show any carcinogenic activity of clinoptilolite type zeolite in rats (ref 11).
""Because of the absence of controls, the quality of all cited preclinical studies is poor. There is no convincing evidence for the claimed effects by clinical research"
"
Because of the absence of controls, the quality of all cited preclinical studies is poor. There is no convincing evidence for the claimed effects by clinical research (ref 12). The only trial retrieved from PUBMED did not confirm the preclinical assessment on adverse or anti-tumour effects. Ivkovic reported an increase of total antioxidant status by significantly increased CD4+, CD19+, and HLA-DR+ lymphocyte counts and a significantly decreased CD56+ cell count. (ref 6)
The results of preclinical studies and hypotheses put forward for the mode of action are not conclusive and do not provide evidence about pharmacokinetics (resorption/elimination) or toxicology in humans. The only clinical trial does not prove any claimed anticancer effect.
According to the provider, Megamin can “stimulate the immune system by activating T-cells" (ref 5). Paradoxically it also binds T-cell-receptors and –antigens in autoimmune diseases resulting in death of the T-cells“(ref 5).
In addition it remains unclear, in what way the antioxidant properties can take effect, since the manufacturer claims that the “particles do not enter the body in high concentrations". TMAZ shall rather “be taken up by lymphoid tissue into liposome" (personal communication with the provider.
The manufacturer reports remissions in 80% of about 250 documented cancer histories within three to five months of treatment with TMAZ (personal communication). Therefore, in 2001 the AGBKT Study Group conducted a best case series (ref 13) in collaboration with the only TMAZ provider (ref 14).
In this study, the provider selected 32 cases of various cancer cases showing the best response to treatment. These were examined subsequently by the AGBKT Study Group. There was a distinct discrepancy between the judgement of the provider and the study group regarding the course of the disease. The provider reported 21 complete remission and 11 partial remission whereas the AGBKT Study Group could only confirm sufficient documentation of partial remissions in six cases, which were attributed to previous or concomitant conventional therapy (chemotherapy or/and radiation). None of these remission cases were exclusively attributable to the effect of TMAZ.
References
5. Lelas T.: Presseinformation zum Thema Megamin®. 2000
6. Ivkovic S, Deutsch U, Silberbach A, Walraph E, Mannel M.: Dietary supplementation with the tribomechanically activated zeolite clinoptilolite in immunodeficiency: effects on the immune system. Adv Ther. 2004 Mar-Apr;21(2):135-47.
7. Zarkovic N, Zarkovic K, Kralj M, Borovic S, Sabolovic S, Blazi MP, Cipak A, Pavelic K. Anticancer and antioxidative effects of micronized zeolite clinoptilolite. Anticancer Res. 2003 Mar-Apr;23(2B):1589-95.
8. Pavelic K, Hadzija M, Bedrica L, Pavelic J, Dikic I, Katic M, Kralj M, Bosnar MH, Kapitanovic S, Poljak-Blazi M, Krizanac S, Stojkovic R, Jurin M, Subotic B, Colic M.: Natural zeolite clinoptilolite: new adjuvant in anticancer therapy. J Mol Med. 2001;78(12):708-20.
9. Muck-Seler D, Pivac N. The effect of natural clinoptilolite on the serotonergic receptors in the brain of mice with mammary carcinoma. Life Sci. 2003 Sep 5;73(16):2059-69.
10. Martin-Kleiner I, Flegar-Mestric Z, Zadro R, Breljak D, Stanovic Janda S, Stojkovic R, Marusic M, Radacic M, Boranic M The effect of the zeolite clinoptilolite on serum chemistry and hematopoiesis in mice. Food Chem Toxicol. 2001 Jul;39(7):717-27.
11. Tatrai E, Ungvary G. Study on carcinogenicity of clinoptilolite type zeolite in Wistar rats. Pol J Occup Med Environ Health. 1993;6(1):27-34.
12. Momcilovic B. : [Megamin, faith, hope and placebos---a critical review]. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol. 1999 Mar;50(1):67-78. Croatian.
13. Nahin R.L.: Use of the best case series to evaluate complementary and alternative therapies for cancer: a systematic review. Semin Oncol. 2002 Dec;29(6):552-62.
14. Ritter E. (AGBKT), Antitumor-effect of Megamin – best case series (data not published yet)
