anyone have any experience with avemar? my father was taking it and
it seemed very helpful. it does have an odd taste, though the taste
can be overcome by mixing it in diet soft drinks etc. it is going
to be sold next year in the u.s. as a cancer nutriment. (possibly
some extra boxes around for anyone interested) it has anti-metastatic
properties, and can shift glucose metabolism away from tumors,
potentially starving them of their preferred energy source. below is
the approved label and some info from the website. let me know what
you think.
waveresearch@...
Avemar Mode of action
Immunmodulatory effect
Enhancement of blastic transformation
Restoration of damaged immune response
Stimulation of apoptosis (programmed cell death): Cleavage of PARP
(poly-(ADP-ribose)polymerase-) induced by caspase-3 protease (nuclear
enzyme)
Effects on glucose/nucleic acid metabolism. Avemar decreases the
glucose-uptake of tumour cells in a dose-dependent manner and
inhibits the production of ribose and desoxyribose. Avemar inhibits
the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and transketolase
(i.e. the key enzymes of ribose synthesis).
Exerts a selective inhibition of MHC-I (main histocompatibility-I)
expression on the surface of tumour cells.
Enhances TNFalpha (tumor necrosis factor alpha) production, thereby
inhibiting tumour angiogenesis.
ICAM-I: the intracellular adhesion molecule (CD 45) level is
increased by Avemar.
Inhibition of carcinogenesis/chemo-preventive effect: Avemar is
capable of inhibiting the development of rat colon tumours induced
with azoxymethane
Stimulation of haemopoesis: regeneration of thrombopoesis and
erythropoesis in cyclophosphamide-induced bone marrow impairment.
Who should take AVEMAR?
Those suffering from solid tumors and malignant hemato-logical
diseases, regardless of the stage of the disease.
Back to the top
What are the benefits of AVEMAR?
increases life expectancy
delays or permanently stops the progression of malignant diseases
shortens the post-operative period
Back to the top
Can it be taken during radiotherapy or chemotherapy?
Its use alongside these treatments is strongly recommended, since it
reduces their side effects and, at the same time, syn-ergistically
enhances the effectiveness of the oncotherapy
Back to the top
What are the advantages of the AVEMAR supportive therapy?
Experiments have shown that it has a multiple effect on the immune
system and that it is not an immunostimulant, having rather a
modulating/integrating effect - that is, it restores impaired immune
functions, but also corrects those immune reactions which are
pathologically over-stimulated.
It significantly delays or prevents local recurrence and metastasis
in lymph nodes or in distant organs.
It synergistically enhances the anti-tumor effects of chemo-
therapeutic agents while significantly alleviating the harmful
hematological and general toxic effects of chemotherapy and
radiotherapy.
It significantly enhances the therapeutic effects of estrogen-
antagonists in estrogen- receptor positive breast cancer.
It enhances the patient's physical performance.
It improves the patient's quality of life.
It has a beneficial influence on the patient's general health state.
Most cancer patients gain weight.
The product is of natural origin.
It is certified not to have any adverse side effects.
Back to the top
What are the main components of AVEMAR's mode of action?
Inhibition of malignant proliferation, anti-metastatic effects
Immunological effects
Chemopreventive effects
Metabolic effects
Back to the top
Where is AVEMAR's place in oncotherapy?
Avemar is not a chemoterapeutic agent, but a supportive product that
is non-toxic and possesses a number of specific advantages.
Oncotherapy performed in parallel with Avemar is proven to be more
effective in most cases than onco-logical therapy on its own.
It can be administered in cases when active oncotherapy is no longer
an option.
Avemar treatment cannot be regarded as an alternative therapy, nor is
it a cancer treatment method of unproven effect.
Back to the top
Based on clinical experience, which type of cancers have the best
response rate to AVEMAR treatment?
As is indicated in the instructions accompanying Avemar, its known
beneficial effects and lack of toxic side effects renders the
application of Avemar both possible and permissable for all types of
tumors. Naturally, we have the most experience with diseases in which
Avemar was used in the frame of clinical trials, namely
gastrointestinal cancers (especially colorectal cancer), squamous
cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and malignant melanomas. We also
have somewhat less, but nevertheless sufficient, evidence regarding
the treatment of bladder and renal cancer, cancer of the
pharynx/larynx, cancer of the salivary glands, liver cancer and
breast cancer for those cases where objective methods could be used
to establish the Avemar's effectiveness. Never-theless, it is
important to emphasize that we never replaced standard therapies with
Avemar, the therapy was always left unchanged and Avemar was used
only as supplementary treatment. This must be taken into account when
considering reports on its anti-tumor efficiency; however, it is also
true that Avemar noticeably improves the anti-tumor effects of stand-
ard anticancer procedures.
Back to the top
How should the product be administered?
Patients of average weight (70 kg or less) should put one spoonful (9
g) of Avemar into a glass using the measuring spoon provided with the
product, add approximately 150 ml of cold water and mix thoroughly
before drinking. The dissolving of the granules can be helped by
shaking the mixture in a closed container. It is important to note
that, in solution, Avemar is unstable. Fresh Avemar solution should
be used within 30 minutes of preparation. Patients with a body weight
of 90 kg or more should consume two 9 g doses of Avemar per day.
Back to the top
Can the product be dissolved in anything other than water?
It is recommended to dissolve the product in cold water. If this form
of ingestion poses a problem for the patient, the product can be
dissolved in non-carbonated soft drinks, cold tea or cocoa, or even
in a soft yogurt or kefir.
Back to the top
Should it be used continuously or as part of a course of treatment?
Avemar should be used continuously and without interruption until the
disease is cured.
Back to the top
When should treatment start?
Ideally, treatment with Avemar should start right after the diagnosis
is made and can be taken before any other active therapy (surgery,
chemotherapy, radiotherapy) takes place.
Back to the top
Is it normal for the product to have an unpleasant taste?
Unfortunately, yes. No artificial compounds are used during
production. The unpleasant taste of the product is moderated by the
use of flavourings and is due to the fermentation process. If the
patient is absolutely unable to take the product because of its
taste, the granules can, exceptionally, be re-placed by capsules. In
this case, the patient should be provided with some form of liquid
for simultaneous ingestion.
Back to the top
How should AVEMAR be stored?
Keep it stored in a sealed container between 5-15°C (pre-ferably in a
refrigerator). After opening, Avemar can be used for up to 2 months
(taking care to note its expiration date).
Back to the top
How long can AVEMAR be kept at room temperature before it loses its
potency and what decompositional processes can set in?
As explained in the instructions, Avemar should be kept between 5-15°
C, preferably in the refrigerator. No harm will come to the product
should it be accidentally left at room temperature for a few days.
However, exposure to temperatures above 30°C for even as few as 24
hours will damage Avemar.
Back to the top
Can supplementary products be taken while using AVEMAR?
Yes, vitamins and multivitamins, as well as various dietary
supplements and medicinal preparations can be taken.
Back to the top
How long can I continue taking AVEMAR?
As far as we know, Avemar can be taken for an unlimited period of
time or, at least, for as long as it continues to have positive
effects - in the case of cancer patients, until the disease is cured.
The decision to begin treatment, as well as its mo-nitoring and
completion, is the responsibility of the attending physician, though,
in certain cases, the decision to stop treat-ment should be taken by
both the patient and physician.
Back to the top
What are its side effects?
Clinical results up to this time suggest that no serious side effects
should be expected. Soft stool, unsettled stomach and nausea
(primarily because of the taste) are infrequent side effects caused
by Avemar. It is quite common for patients to see certain complaints
caused by the disease itself as side effects of Avemar. The weight
gain experienced by most patients after using the product is not a
side effect, but one of its most important natural effects.
Are there any conditions in which Avemar should not be used and, if
so, what are these conditions?
There are some such cases, and they are listed in the in-structions
given on the side of the product packaging. The most significant
contraindications are the followings:
Transplantation (except in cases where the patient's own tissue is
being transplanted)
Celiac disease
Hereditary fructose intolerance
Pregnancy and lactation
Why should the product be avoided after trans-plantations?
Because of its immunomodulant effect.
If a patient who has been taking AVEMAR is about to have a bone
marrow transplantation, can he continue with the product after the
transplant-ation?
Unfortunately not, as Avemar can enhance the rejection disposition of
any transplanted tissue, including that used in bone marrow
heterotransplants. Exceptions can only be made in the case of
autotransplants or bone marrow derived from an identical twin.
Are you aware of any interactions between Avemar and other drugs?
None are known, except that with vitamin C, which may weaken the
potency of Avemar when taken simultaneously. As a result, Avemar and
vitamin C should not be taken within two hours of one another.
What are the potential results of an overdose?
An overdose should have no consequences. The product has no toxic
dose.
Can the product be taken by diabetics?
Yes.
Is the product recommended for children?
Not at the moment, but will be shortly.
Can patients with impaired liver and kidney function take AVEMAR?
These are not included on the list of contraindications, as potenital
accumulation cannot raise plasma concentration to such levels that it
would result in toxic effects. In such cases however, side effects
should be monitored more closely.
Can the consumption of wheat germ replace the AVEMAR treatment?
Not at all. The chemical properties of wheat germ's com-ponents are
profoundly altered during the production pro-cesses of Avemar.
Therefore, even though they may share a common background, the
chemical composition and effect of Avemar belong to entirely
different categories.
Is AVEMAR registered in countries other than Hungary?
Yes, in the Czech Republic and Bulgaria, with the same indications as
in Hungary. Avemar is also available in 10 other countries, with
registration pending in several others.
product label
Indications: Avemar is a medical nutriment for complementing cancer
treatment during and after surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and
immune therapy. The continuous use of Avemar is recommended during
the full course of clinical treatment and after its completion for as
long as recommended by the treating physician. After surgery, the
administration of Avemar can begin when the patient has been able to
take food orally and without complications for at least 4 days.
Side effects: The use of Avemar produces, on rare occasions, a soft
stool and, on even rarer occasions, an unsettled stomach or nausea.
Contraindications: Avemar should not be taken during pregnancy and
breastfeeding. Avemar should not be taken by patients undergoing
organ or tissue transplants, or those who suffer from bleeding
erosions and/or bleeding ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract
(bleeding stomach and bleeding duodenal ulcers), enteritis/colitis
(serious inflammations of the gastro-intestinal tract), or
malabsorption syndrome (sprue), including gluten sensitive
enteropathies (celiac sprue). Patients with inherited fructose
intolerance or patients with hypersensitivity to any components or
ingredients of Avemar should also avoid its use.
Known interactions with other drugs: If vitamin C is being ad-
ministered, Avemar should be consumed at least 2 hours before or
after treatments with preparations containing vitamin C. As Avemar
may adversely affect the absorption of other medications or
supplements, Avemar should be taken at least 2 hours before or after
treatments using other products.
Warning: Avemar is not a replacement or substitute for clinically
indicated anti-cancer therapies and procedures. Keep out of reach of
children. The medication should only be taken under medical
supervision, for patients of 14 years and older. The use of Avemar
should be discontinued 2 days before barium sulfate X-ray contrast
examinations and should not be reinstated within 2 days after the
completion of the examination! Patients with dia-betes can take
Avemar under the supervision of a health professional, but the
product's carbohydrate content must be taken into consideration.
Preparation, dosage and administration:
Preparation of a single dose:
The measuring spoon included with the product measures out single
doses (9 g). Mix one level measuring spoonful of Avemar with 150 ml
of cold water and drink it.
Once the Avemar solution has been made, it should be used within 30
minutes. Any unused solution should be discarded.
Dosage: For an adult of average weight (~70 kg), a single daily dose
of 9g, prepared according to the above instructions, is recommended,
ideally approximately 1 hour before eating. Pa-tients with a body
weight of 90 kg or more should consume two 9 g doses per day, ideally
1 hour before breakfast and supper.
Avemar can also be prepared and consumed in soft drinks or non-
carbonated mineral water, providing that their vitamin C (as-corbic
acid or E 300) content is not significant.