Cartilage (Bovine and Shark) (PDQ®)
Cancer Information Summaries « English « Patients « C
Overview
- Cartilage is a type of tough, flexible connective tissue (see Question 1 ).
- Cartilage from cows (bovine cartilage) and sharks has been studied as a treatment for cancer and other medical conditions for more than 30 years (see Question 2 ).
- Laboratory and animal studies have looked at whether bovine and shark cartilage products can kill cancer cells, make the immune system more active against cancer, and prevent the body from making the new blood vessels that a tumor needs to grow (see Question 5 ).
- Clinical trials (research studies with people) are under way to study cartilage as a cancer treatment for humans (see Question 6 ).
- Studies to date have not proven cartilage to be an effective treatment for cancer in people (see Question 6 ).
- The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved cartilage as a treatment for cancer (see Question 8 ).
This record was last updated on March 12th, 2009.
About the PDQ Cancer Information Summaries from the National Cancer Institute
PDQ (Physician Data Query) is a comprehensive cancer database published by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It contains peer-reviewed summaries on cancer treatment, screening, prevention, genetics, and supportive care, and complementary and alternative medicine; a registry of cancer clinical trials; and directories of physicians, professionals who provide genetics services, and organizations that provide cancer care.
The PDQ Cancer Information Summaries are peer reviewed and updated monthly by six editorial boards comprised of specialists in adult treatment, pediatric treatment, supportive care, screening and prevention, genetics, and complementary and alternative medicine. The Boards review current literature from more than 70 biomedical journals, evaluate its relevance, and synthesize it into clear summaries. Many of the summaries are also available in Spanish.
Linked medical terms appearing on this page are added by Healia to help readers find more information and are not part of the original PDQ document.