The Foundation for Advancement in Cancer Research (FACR) is a non-profit organization supporting and researching effective non-toxic cancer modalities. Poly-MVA[R] is a novel formula that contains a lipoic acid palladium complex (LAPd), its main active ingredient. The formula also contains riboflavin, cyanocobalamin, formyl-methionine, and acetylcysteine. The initials MVA stand for minerals, vitamins, and amino acids. Many studies and clinical experiences indicate that the LAPd found in Poly-MVA may have a role to play in the treatment of a variety of cancers, including prostate cancer and lung cancer. Recently, we had the opportunity to discuss this formula’s role in prostate and lung health with Dr. Shari Lieberman, who, together with James W. Forsythe MD, HMD, co-authored articles on the subjects in Alternative and Complementary Therapies.

Prostate health is obviously of great concern to many men. How widespread is the incidence of prostate cancer?

Dr. Lieberman: According to The Prostate Cancer Institute, prostate cancer is the single most common form of solid tumor in humans. It’s present in more than nine million men. It afflicts one in six men in their lifetimes and is newly diagnosed every 2.6 minutes. Prostate cancer kills one man every 13 minutes. It strikes as many men (and causes almost as many deaths annually) as breast cancer does women but lacks the national awareness and research funding devoted to breast cancer.

Dr. Lieberman: Yes and no. Conventional wisdom says that prostate cancer is nearly 100% survivable if detected early. However, it is rarely detected early because the technology to do so doesn’t exist. Plus, it is generally asymptomatic. There’s actually little evidence to confirm that early prostate cancer detection will confer 100% survival. This statistic can give a false sense of security because it doesn’t include the prognosis of hormone refractory prostate cancer, which is more difficult to treat and has a poorer prognosis. In addition, there is only limited published data to suggest that early intervention of any type (androgen deprivation, radiation therapy, surgery, etc.) affects survival.

FACR: Prostate cancer is also very slow-growing, isn’t it?

Dr. Lieberman: That’s correct–another reason why the 100% survivable statistic is misleading. Patients are more likely to die of other diseases before succumbing to the prostate cancer.

FACR: What are the standard forms of treatment for prostate cancer?

Dr. Lieberman: Radical prostatectomy, cryotherapy, surgical castration, external bean radiation therapy, brachytherapy, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone therapy, and combined androgen blockage have all been used. These treatments, however, are associated with numerous side effects, the most common being impotence. Radiation therapy also is associated with the development of secondary cancer. Consequently, many men prefer the concept of “watchful waiting” to other standard treatments.

FACR: What can be done nutritionally to support conventional prostate cancer treatments?

Dr. Lieberman: Poly-MVA is an excellent choice both for those who choose the “watchful waiting” approach and those that want nutritional support as an adjuvant to standard treatment.

FACR: Poly-MVA is said to have a particularly interesting mechanism of action. Can you describe this?

Dr. Lieberman: It actually has a two-step process for its mechanisms of action. Poly-MVA is comprised of an irreversibly bound trimer of lipoic acid, a powerful water and fat-soluble antioxidant, and the mineral palladium with a thiamine (B1) core. Consequently, it exists as a polymer rather than as a single molecule. That means Poly-MVA can accept and donate energy (electron charge) at a much greater magnitude then a single molecule like other nutrients. This enables Poly-MVA to shuttle energy to the mitochondria while, at the same time, protecting DNA and other cellular tissue from oxidative stress or free radical damage that occurs during normal cellular metabolism and, especially, during times of disease (like cancer) or during the course of treatments (like radiation and chemotherapy). Essentially, Poly-MVA converts free radicals into usable cellular energy, benefiting and nourishing normal cells.

FACR: Does this mean that Poly-MVA can provide the same energy to cancer cells?

Dr. Lieberman: No. Studies and much research have demonstrated that cancer cells are unable to accept the excess energy Poly-MVA provides. This is because malignant cells function in a hypoxic (low oxygen) environment, typically using sugar to generate the energy needed to survive. The production of oxygen radicals from the energy transfer generated in a hypoxic environment facilitates cancer cell death by activating enzymes that destroy the cells. Unlike cancer cells, healthy cells are richly oxygenated. Consequently, Poly-MVA is non-toxic to the healthy cells, which benefit from the energy boost and protective effect triggered by the Lipoic Acid Palladium complex.