714-X

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714-X or 714X, also called "trimethylbicyclonitramineoheptane chloride", is a substance manufactured by CERBE Distribution Inc. and sold as an alternative medical treatment which is claimed to cure cancer, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and other "degenerative diseases".[1] It was developed by Gaston Naessens, a native of France who has lived and worked in Quebec since the early 1970s. The American Cancer Society has stated that "[t]here is no scientific evidence that 714-X is effective in treating any type of cancer or any other illness." No studies of its safety or efficacy in animals or humans have been published. The marketers claim it works by counteracting the harm done by "somatids", a conjectured form of life which is alleged not to be bacterial, viral or fungal, but which instead form a distinct category unknown to mainstream science and medicine. [2]

714-X is typically injected into the groin. Alternately, it may be inhaled via nebulizer.[2] While 714-X is not known to be harmful, no studies have been done to test its safety. Tests conducted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) showed different batches contained a variety of different impurities, indicating a lack of quality control.[3] The major ingredient of 714-X is camphor.[2] The FDA has banned both importation and sale of 714-X as a form of health fraud, and at least one prison sentence has been handed down for importing it into America.[4]

714-X is manufactured in Canada, where it is legal to purchase for personal use through a physician under the Emergency Drug Release Program of Health Canada, a "compassionate use" law which provides access to unproven treatments for terminal illnesses when no recognized alternative exists. However, Health Canada told the manufacturer to remove all references to the compound from its website.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Barrett, M.D., Stephen (03/22/2002.). Fanciful Claims for 714X. Cancer Quackery: 714-X. QuackWatch. Retrieved on 01/09/2007.
  2. ^ a b c 714-X (PDQ). National Cancer Institute (11/01/2006). Retrieved on 01/09/2007.
  3. ^ Kaegi (1998). "Unconventional therapies for cancer: 6. 714-X. Task Force on Alternative Therapeutic of the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative.". Canadian Medical Association Journal 158 (12): 1621–4. PMID 9645177. 
  4. ^ Kurtzweil, Paula. "Promoter of 714X Cure-All Faces Prison For Selling Unapproved Drug.", FDA Consum 30 (9), 1996. Retrieved on 01/09/2007. 
  5. ^ 714-X. Pharmacological and Biological Treatment. Can these non-traditional therapies slow or stop the growth of cancer cells? Find out more.. American Cancer Society (06/01/2005). Retrieved on 01/09/2007.

[edit] External links

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