Growth and Gene Expression in Prostate and Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro Rajesh L. Thangapazham, MS Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland; Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, India Jaya P. Gaddipati, PhD N. V. Rajeshkumar, PhD Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland Anuj Sharma, MS Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland; Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, India Anoop K. Singh, PhD Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland John A. Ives, PhD Samueli Institute, Alexandria, Virginia Radha K. Maheshwari, PhD Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland Wayne B. Jonas, MD Samueli Institute, 1700 Diagonal Road, Suite 400, Alexandria, VA 22314; wjonas@siib.org. Background: Homeopathy is an alternative medical system practiced in all parts of the world. Although several theories are proposed to explain the mechanisms of action, none are scientifically verified. In this study, the authors investigate the effect of selected homeopathic remedies often used to treat prostate and breast cancer. Materials and Methods: The authors investigated the effect of the homeopathic medicines Conium maculatum, Sabal serrulata, Thuja occidentalis, Asterias, Phytolacca, and Carcinosin on prostate and breast cancer cell (DU-145, LNCaP, MAT-LyLu, MDA-MB-231) growth and on gene expression that regulates apoptosis, using MTT and multiprobe ribonuclease protection assay. Results: None of the homeopathic remedies tested in different potencies produced significant inhibitory or growth-promoting activity in either prostate or breast cancer cells. Also, gene expression studies by ribonuclease protection assay produced no significant changes in mRNA levels of bax, bcl-2, bcl-x, caspase-1, caspase-2, caspase-3, Fas, or FasL after treatment with homeopathic medicines. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that the highly diluted homeopathic remedies used by homeopathic practitioners for cancer show no measurable effects on cell growth or gene expression in vitro using currently available methodologies. Integrative Cancer Therapies, Vol. 5, No. 4, 356-361 (2006) DOI: 10.1177/1534735406294224 Homeopathy, Male Rats and Prostate Tumor Cells Integrative Cancer Ther, 11/06 Homeopathic Preparations & Human Prostate Ca Growth Integrative Cancer Ther, 11/06 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.