Cysteine-Rich Protein Prevents Weight Loss in Lung Cancer Patients: A
Promising Intervention Study
Immunotec Inc. announced today the successful completion of a multi-center
randomized, double-blind clinical trial on cancer-related weight loss
(cachexia) in lung cancer patients which was performed in collaboration with
various Canadian clinical centers. The research concluded that patients
treated with IMN 1207 showed significant increases in body weight (Tozer et
al. Antioxidants & Redox Signaling (2008) 10:395-402). Immunotec also
announced the initiation of a follow-up study to confirm the positive
results.

Immunotec's new study included 66 patients with advanced lung cancer
receiving state of the art chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The patients had
already suffered significant involuntary weight-loss prior to treatment.
During a six month treatment period the patients were given either casein, a
protein supplement low in cysteine which is widely used in clinical
nutrition ("placebo") or IMN 1207, a the research formulation of the
undenatured whey protein Immunocal®. The results showed that patients in the
placebo group continued to lose weight whereas patients treated with IMN
1207 showed a significant increase in body weight. Incidentally, these
patients also showed an increase in strength and quality of life parameters.
This study showed for the first time that cancer-related weight loss
(cachexia) can be prevented by a single source of protein.