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Overview
This complementary
and alternative medicine (CAM) information summary provides an overview of
the use of cartilage as a treatment
for cancer. The summary includes a brief history of cartilage research, the
results of clinical studies, and
possible side effects of cartilage use.
This summary contains the following key information:
- Bovine (cow) cartilage and shark cartilage have been studied as
treatments for cancer and other medical conditions for more than 30
years.
- Numerous cartilage products are sold commercially in the United States
as dietary supplements.
- Three principal mechanisms of action have been proposed to explain the
antitumor potential of cartilage: 1) it kills cancer cells directly; 2) it
stimulates the immune system; and 3) it blocks the formation of new blood vessels
(angiogenesis), which tumors need
for unrestricted growth.
- At least 3 different inhibitors of angiogenesis have been identified
in bovine cartilage, and 2 angiogenesis inhibitors
have been purified from shark cartilage.
- Few human studies of cartilage as a treatment for cancer have been reported to date, and the results
are inconclusive.
- Additional clinical trials
of cartilage as a treatment for cancer are now being conducted.
Many of the medical and scientific terms used in this summary are hypertext linked (at first use only) to the Cancer.gov Dictionary, which is oriented toward nonexperts. When a linked term is clicked, a definition will appear in a separate window. All linked terms and their corresponding definitions will appear in a glossary in the printable version of the summary. Reference citations in some PDQ CAM information summaries may include links to external Web sites that are operated by individuals or organizations for the purpose of marketing or advocating the use of specific treatments or products. These reference citations are included for informational purposes only. Their inclusion should not be viewed as an endorsement of the content of the Web sites, or of any treatment or product, by the PDQ Cancer CAM Editorial Board or the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
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