Revici Guided Chemotherapy
Caution: Some complementary agents or therapies may be useful for cancer patients; however, some may be harmful in certain situations. MD Anderson Cancer Center cautions patients to consult with their oncologist before attempting to use any agents or therapies referenced on these pages. Inclusion of an agent, therapy, or resource on this CIMER web site does not imply endorsement by MD Anderson Cancer Center.
- Review is based on articles published as of 5/15/2007
- Information on the scientific basis of Revici guided chemotherapy is provided in the Detailed Scientific Review
Description
Emanuel Revici, M.D., developed an individually guided, lipid-based chemotherapy system based on research from the 1920s. He devoted his career to creating medicines to restore normal bodily functions.
Revici proposed that the clinical signs of cancer were linked with an imbalance of two general classes of lipids in the body (fatty acids and sterols). He combined lipids with various elements to develop medicines to treat this imbalance.
Conventional researchers in chemistry and biology later confirmed some of his theories. For example, that damage to any organism by disease was often caused by weak bodily defense mechanisms. Revici was also an early advocate of using selenium to treat cancer. Dr. Revici died in 1998 at the age of 101. His concepts are carried on today by the Revici Foundation for Lipid Biomedical Research.
Treatment consists of proprietary formulas unique to each patient. These commonly include lipid and lipid-based substances, selenium compounds, sterols (e.g., cholesterol), alcohols and hormones (e.g., estrogens). They also include amines (e.g., aminobutanol), nicotinic acid derivatives, metals (mercury, iron, bismuth) and halogens (e.g., iodine).
Dose
Doses are unique to each patient.
How it is taken
Treatments are given by mouth or by injection.
Side effects
Although excess selenium compounds commonly can be toxic to patients, Revici reported that he had identified a non-toxic form of selenium. He cautioned though that his treatments might cause inflammation around the tumor area, leading the tumor to become more painful, larger and softer, before shrinking.
No harmful effects from Revici's treatment have been reported in the medical literature.
Possible risks
Individual case histories have not been critically reviewed. No prospective controlled clinical trials have been conducted to assess the safety and effectiveness of Revici's treatment.
Important Advice
To avoid potential interactions, be sure to let your health care provider know if you use this or any other type of complementary therapy.
Authors and Editors
Initial authorship of Summary and Detailed Scientific Review:
Nancy C. Russell, Dr.P.H., senior health education specialist, Integrative Medicine Program Education Component
Reviewers and editors:
Mary Ann Richardson, Dr.P.H., director of the former University of Texas Center for Alternative Medicine
Tina Sanders, M.S., research assistant, former University of Texas Center for Alternative Medicine
Stephen P. Tomasovic, Ph.D., senior vice president for academic affairs
Authors of Detailed Summary of Life & Theories of Emanual Revici:
Marcus A. Cohen
Mark David Noble, Ph.D.
Gerhard N. Schrauzer, Dr.rer.nat
Assistance with 2005 update:
Lorianne Janszen, health education specialist, Integrative Medicine Education Component