Case Studies

Case studies are compiled by doctors as they observe the effects of treatments on patients. Doctors and other medical personnel carefully keep detailed records of every patient under their care. These records help them identify changes in a patient's health over time, diagnose the causes, and prescribe treatment. The records are valuable in determining if a particular treatment helped cure the patient. Case studies summarize the records and results of particular treatments. The following case studies are examples of a few of those compiled when AHCC was used as part of a treatment plan for various diseases. AHCC Case Studies 84 year old Female with Ascites and Edema The patient is an 84 year old woman having [a] medical history of cerebral infraction and fracture of the femur. In September 1998, ascites and edema were found and the possibility of ovarian or uterine cancer was suggested by the ascites and high level of CA-125. AHCC oral administrations started from December 4, 1998 (3g/day) subsequently increased her appetite and two months later decreased her edema, and the ascites were not detected by the middle of February, 1999. Furthermore, CA-125 went down from 450 U/ml to 32 U/ml and her performance status improved to PS-II from PS-IV. Cause of the ascites and high level of CA-125 may be benign disease of peritoneal, that is, occlusion of mesenteric artery by arteriosclerosis. From a point of view described above, AHCC can help improve QOL (quality of life) of patients - Susumu Konda, Uchinada-onsen Hospital, Japan 35 year old Female with Hepatitis C A.G. presented 8/93 for treatment of Hepatitis C. She was diagnosed 7/92 with elevated liver enzymes and positive Hepatitis C antibodies, and had a history of IV drug abuse. She was prescribed a dietary and nutritional supplement regimen as well as intravenous (IV) vitamin treatments, all of which were focused on immune support and anti-viral effect. Blood work was largely normal for five years except for slight, fluctuating elevations in the liver enzymes AST (GOT), ALT (GPT) and GGT. She also reported occasional pain and tingling in the area of the liver. Blood work 11/98 showed a Hepatitis C Virus RNA level of 2,160,900 by PCR testing (nl<2000 copies/MCP). AHCC was added within a week after this test - 6 gms in divided doses and no other adjustments to the patient's treatment protocol were made. Follow-up testing 3/99 showed a decrease in Hepatitis C Virus RNA to 1,573,400 (a 27.2 decrease in 4 months). - Joel S. Edman, D.Sc. and Dr. Fred Pescatore, M.D. 64 year old Female with Hepatitis C M.F. presented 11/98 for treatment of Hepatitis C, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and allergies. The hepatitis diagnosis was made 2-3 years earlier when liver enzymes significantly increased, although there was some evidence of elevated liver enzymes up to 35 years earlier. At presentation, the liver enzymes Gamma GT and AST were high (100.0 and 67.0 respectively) and the WBC count was low (3.4 thous/ml). Hepatitis C Virus RNA by PCR testing, done 1/99, showed a count of 1,475,000. Nutritional supplementation and IV vitamin therapy did not produce significant results as liver enzymes were still high and the patient was still fatigued. AHCC was begun 3/99, 6 gms in divided doses. Follow-up testing showed a Hepatitis C Virus RNA level of 167,000 ( a dramatic 89% decrease in 4 months). Liver enzyme levels were essentially unchanged, however, the patient reported significant improvement in energy. - Joel S. Edman, D.Sc. and Dr. Fred Pescatore, M.D. 47 year old Male with Hepatitis C and Prostate Cancer D.F. presented with Hepatitis C and prostate cancer (PSA 14.2, Gleason 6). He was diagnosed with moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma with high heterogeneity, when he experienced hematuria 11/97. Hepatitis C was first treated in 1994 with acupuncture and homeopathy with resolution of increased liver enzymes. The patient was treated with total androgen blockage (TAB) starting in 5/98 to stabilize the prostate cancer - his PSA decreased to 4.9. The last Lupron was administered 1/99 and the last Casodex was taken 2/99. Measurement 12/98 of Hepatitis C Virus RNA by PCR testing was 2,498,200. D.F. began AHCC 1/99. 2/99 AHCC was increased to 6 gms per day in divided doses. Follow-up testing done 7/99 showed a significant decrease in the level of Hepatitis C Virus RNA to 499,600 (an 80% reduction in 6 months). - Joel S. Edman, D.Sc. and Dr. Fred Pescatore, M.D. 48 year old Female with Metastatic Breast Cancer 48 year old Female with Metastatic Breast Cancer M.K. presented 12/96 for treatment of breast adenocarcinoma, poorly differentiated. Her original diagnosis was made in 1990 when she had a lumpectomy. An evaluation of hip pain in 1996 showed bilateral breast masses, positive bilateral axillary lymph nodes, and metastases of the sternum, ilia and sacrum. After a bilateral masectomy, an aggressive alternative medical therapy was begun (all standard treatments were refused). After various alternative protocols, the patient stabilized regarding metastases, pain control, and immune function, although she reported that she was not feeling well. M.K. had AHCC added to her treatment protocol 2/99 - 6 gms per day in divided doses. After 10 weeks on AHCC she showed a significant improvement in reported well-being as well as improved immunological parameters. These improved results (measured 4/16/99 compared with 1/28/99) included: (a) Total WBC 3.6 vs. 2.8 Th/mm3; (b) Helper-Inducer T-cells (CD4) 275 vs. 232; (c) Total lymphocytes 810 vs. 742; (d) Total T lymphocytes 492 vs. 460; (e) B lymphocytes 124 vs. 68; and (f) Helper/Suppressor ration 1.3 vs. 1.1. - Joel S. Edman, D.Sc. and Dr. Fred Pescatore, M.D.

Home | Next Page: Dr.Tanno's Website