Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1954 [PAGE 392]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1952]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

389

that had received Krebiozen treatment. This report was in two volumes consisting of over five hundred pages. Dr. Cole's Committee proceeded to examine these reports and analyses and to interview Dr. Ivy and some of his associates concerning the clinical observations. On September 10, the Cole Committee, in accordance with our understanding, submitted directly to me its report together with its findings, conclusions, and recommendations. The latter constitute Appendix A of the present report to the Board of Trustees. (The other chapters of the report of the Cole Committee consist of: Source of Material; Committee Discussion; Abstract of Observations; Case Presentations; Interview with Research Physician and Neurological Consultation. In view of the technical and medical character of these chapters, I do not believe they should be relased to the general public.) The findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the Cole Committee may be summarized as follows; (1) Krebiozen has not been identified chemically but is available only in paraffin oil suspension. Hence, it is not available for laboratory experimentation and the accounts of its preparation are open to important questions that have not been answered. (2) Ignorance of the nature of the material interferes with a sound evaluation of its therapeutic effectiveness. (3) There was found no acceptable evidence that any malignant tumor had been cured by Krebiozen; none was claimed in Dr. Ivy's report. (4) There was found no evidence of prolongation of life through the use of Krebiozen; no such claim was made in Dr. Ivy's report. (5) There was no histological evidence that Krebiozen produced degenerative or regressive changes in tumor cells; no such unequivocal effect was claimed in Dr. Ivy's report. (One research physician interpreted certain changes as degenerative but this was not concurred in by the member of the Cole Committee who examined these histological observations.) (6) There was found no radiographic evidence that Krebiozen could reduce metastatic tumor lesions in bones or lungs; there was no claim to this effect in Dr. Ivy's report. (7) The principal objective finding, according to Dr. Ivy's report, was reduction in size of the visible or palpable lesions in 53 per cent of a series of 67 cases. (8) The statement in Dr. Ivy's report that a large majority of the patients reported a decrease in pain was not confirmed by the group at Lankenau Hospital in Philadelphia. (There was a difference in time interval and dosage employed by the two groups of investigators.) (9) The Committee believes that "Krebiozen has no curative value in the treatment of cancer. On the basis of evidence submitted we cannot state that it is entirely devoid of biological activity." (10) The Committee stated: "We are keenly aware of the idealism which has prompted Dr. Ivy to interest himself in the evaluation of this product. We are convinced that his motives are entirely honorable and sincere." The crucial statement in the Committee's recommendations is as follows: " I n our opinion it would be inconclusive if not futile to conduct further clinical investigation unless it is first possible to dispel the mystery which surrounds the nature of the material. In default of this step no further consideration should be given to the problem." The Committee suggests further that the ingredient Krebiozen be reproduced under conditions personally known to the testing group and that as far as it is possible the chemical nature of Krebiozen should be determined. In the meantime, the financial and scientific interests of the originators should be protected. The Committee points out the need of newly prepared material which would be used both in animals and men under close supervision and with adequate statistical controls. It is regarded as desirable to have the work done under the general supervision of members of the College of Medicine of the University of Illinois. Recommendations of the President of the University: (1) That in essence the recommendations of the Cole Committee be carried out. (2) That Dr. Ivy be requested to secure from the owners or originators of Krebiozen all data, descriptions, and formulations necessary to ascertain the chemical