Cancer Screening using the Anti-Malignin Antibody in Serum (AMAS) Test

Today, about 1 in 26 Americans have had cancer. By 2020, roughly 1 in 19 will have been diagnosed with the disease, says Edward Salsberg, an author of the study from the Association of American Medical Colleges' Center for Workforce Studies. It has also been reported by many news sites and agencies that cancer will be the number one killer disease world-wide.  As an individual, you should be concerned about the high risk of developing cancer even in the absense of family history, significant exposure to carcinogens, or known presence of cancer genes in your body. 

The AMAS test evaluates the immune system and its response to cancerous cells that may be prevalent within the body. As a well-referenced test in numerous medical journals, the AMAS test has shown to be 95% accurate in its detection of this abnormal cellular growth.  We consider this an extremely valuable test in very early detection of cancerous conditions.  With the right nutritional medicine protocol in place, steps can be taken to curtail the progression of disease for optimal prevention.

AMA (anti-malignin antibody) is a protein which has been found to be elevated during active cancer almost regardless of cell type or location. Unlike tests such as CEA whose levels tend to be inconstant but elevated late in the disease, the AMAS test measures a well-defined antibody whose blood levels rise early in the course of the disease.  The accuracy and versatility of this test is attributed to the fact that all cancers have this AMA protein in common, which even in minimal amounts may stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies that are easily detectable in the blood. In some cases, the AMAS test has been positive (elevated) early, i.e. 1 to 19 months before clinical detection.

All of the data from researchers and from the independent study performed by SmithKline Laboratories support the fact that the AMA (Anti-Malignin Antibody) is elevated almost regardless of the site or cell type of the malignancy; that is, AMA is a general transformation antibody, not just for one particular kind of cancer. This is good news! We now have the ability to detect very early these cancerous processes getting out of control.  (references are available below)

What about mammograms, prostate exams, colonoscopys and other cancer tumor marker tests?

These tests are extremely valuble and give clinicians knowledge of the specific location of a cancerous growth (mammograms finding growths in the breasts of women, colonoscopys finding polyps and growths within the large intestine, etc). The advantage of the AMAS test is it's early detection. It does not tell you where exactly this process may be occurring, but positive results will concur that the body's immune system is losing a battle SOMEWHERE and we can use measures to help it's fight. This by no means is a treatment of cancer or cancerous processes.  Instead it is supporting the body where it is weak to help in the fight.

How do I get started?

Call the office and mention that you want the cancer screening (or AMAS) test. You will then be scheduled for a laboratory blood draw at our office (this does not have to be fasting).  When the blood is drawn, you will either be scheduled for a follow-up consultation or our office will call you to set up a time to discuss your results.

Parts of the following submitted by Dr. Adiel Tel-Oren, MD, DC, CCN, LN, DACBN, DABOM, FABDA

The vast majority of medical practitioners and oncologists are not aware of the test.  Several reasons may account for this including poor marketing, suppression by special interest groups, and typical resistance to change. However, an important reason may be based on the fundamental differences between allopathic (traditional) and preventative (functional) medicine:  In functional medicine, the practitioner focuses on identifying and preventing the underlying causes of disease by revealing bhichemical, physiological, and toxicological dysfunctions, and then providing natural, non-toxic therapy to reverse these trends.  Allopathic medicine, on the other hand, must usually wait patiently (monitor) for an advanced symptomatic disease to develop before its aggressive, toxic therapies can be justified. Currently, a typical oncologist is armed chiefly with three anti-cancer tools:  chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. These approaches, although successful in some forms of cancer, are rife with debilitating, immune-suppressing, at times dehumanizing side effects, and often fail to improve or even elongate the patient's life. Further, these treatments tend to ignore the underlying causes of the disease whether environmental, genetic, nutritional, immunological, emotional, electromagnetic, or a combination thereof.

These fundamental differences, while explaining the statistical failure of the medical war against cancer, also provide a clue to the frequent reluctance or apathy of some medical practitioners toward AMAS testing; whenever malignant activity is deteected so early that clinical manifestations do not yet exist (the tumor might be extremely small or its location and type yet undefined), the invasive aggressive, toxic and immune-defeating tools of oncology can not be morally justified, and the medical practitioner is then at a loss as to the proper course of action. A scientifically-minded holistic practitioner, on the other hand, may be able to address this early phase of disease by using natural, proven immune-boosting techniques and other preventativie approaches designed to target the underlying cause of disease. Although many such therapies are well researched clinically and proven scientifically, they remain largely untaught at medical schools, hospitals and seminars sponsored by pharmaceutical industries. Despite this, enlightened medical practitioners who have educated themselves in the realm of preventative medicine are increasingly relying upon early cancer detection by utilizing the AMAS test. More recently, many allopathic (orthodox) medical doctors and oncologists as well as famous medical centers have started trusting the test and its diagnostic significance, upon being informed of new developments in the areas of immunology and cancer immunotherapy.

As in all clinical laboratory tests, the AMAS test should be ordered as an aid to diagnosis, detection or monitoring of disease, in addition to medical history, signs and symptoms.  It is important to consult with cancer specialists whenever caancer is suspected. In certain instances, the allopathic approach is necessary and can save lives.

Who Should Obtain the AMAS Test?

-Anyone with a family history of cancer. Studies have shown an increased risk with a family history of cancer, due to either environmental or genetic causes.

-Anyone who has had cancer in the past and who is concerned about recurrence. People who survived cancer usually have a higher likelihood of a second cancer, yet the tests commonly used to assess the patient's status (tumor markers) uncover the recurring disease when it's too late or too advanced. The AMAS can help monitor patients considered "in remission", giving the treating physician an opportunity to save the patient's life or reduce the patient's suffering.

-Anyone currently being treated for cancer. Usually the treating physician (an oncologist), is unable to verify the effectiveness of care. The AMAS test should be used to monitor the patient's progress (and the success of treatment) accurately, in order to reduce the risk associated with excessive toxic treatments.

-Anyone who is suffering from significant fear of cancer would benefit from the peace of mind offered by negative tests results. After all, the stress of anxiety itself can depress your immune function and such fears should be alleviated.

-Anyone with equivocal (uncertain) clinical findings based on manual tests or imaging studies (mammography, ultrasound, etc.). The AMAS test can rule out the possibility of malignancy, or confirm it without causing the additional risks, pain, and costs to biopsies.

-Anyone experiencing vague symptoms or a symptom for which cancer may be a cause will benefit from ruling it out.

-Anyone who is concerned with their overall health and wants to be proactive in cancer prevention.

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Cancer burden expected to soar, overwhelm doctors – Liz Szabo, USA TODAY

-A new study predicts that the aging of America will lead to a sharp increase in cancer patients and survivors by 2020. 

-“The number of Americans who are diagnosed with cancer-both those in treatment and those who have finished therapy-will grow to 18.2 million, up from 11.7 million in 2005.  Today 1 in 26 Americans have had cancer.  By 2020, roughly 1 in 19 will have been diagnosed with the disease.” Journal of Oncology Practice

“Breast cancer research nears $1billion spent” – 1/21/07 The Associated Press

“Prostate cancer treatment has health risks” – 9/20/06 USA Today

“Doctors say futile cancer treatment rising” – 6/2/06 The Associated Press

“Science goes back to table on how diet links to cancer risk” – 6/5/06 USA Today

The National Academy of Sciences estimates that 60% fo all women's cancers (namely breast and endometrial) and 40% of all men's cancers (prostate and gastrointestinal) are related to nutritional factors.  In fact, in an article produced by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute says that reducing saturated fat intake from the recommended 10% to 9% would lower breast cancer rates in the US alone by 10%.  Also, the journal Nutritional Cancer says that dietary fiber may have an effective role in breast cancer risk

Publications

1. 1. "Astrocytin and malignin: Two Polypeptide Fragments (Recognins) Related to Brain Tumor"; National Cancer Institute Mon. 46:133-137, 1977.
2. 2. "Disarmed Anti-Malignin Antibodies"; The Lancet 1:987, 1979.
3. 3. "Monoclonal Anti-Malignin Antibodies"; The Lancet 2:141-142, 1981.
4. 4. "Determination of Anti-Malignin Antibody and Malignin in 1,026 Cancer Patients and Controls: Relation of Antibody to Survival"; J. Medicine 13:49-69, 1982.
5. 5. "Anti-Malignin Antibody and Scantag"; Protides Biol. Fluids 30:337-352, 1983.
6. 6. "Elevated Levels of Anti-Malignin Antibody are Quantitatively Related to Longer Survival in Cancer Patients"; Protides Biol. Fluids 31:739-747, 1984.
7. 7. "In Vitro Production of the General Transformation Antibody Related to Survival in Human Cancer Patients: Anti-Malignin Antibody (AMA)"; Cancer Detection and Prevention 18:Number 5/6, 551, 1985.
8. 8. "Increased Accuracy of Anti-Malignin Antibody Determination in Unstored Sera Permits Screening"; Cancer Detection and Prevention 11:Number 1/2, 85, 1987.
9. 9. "In Vitro Production of the General Transformation Antibody Related to Survival in Human Cancer Patients: Antimalignin Antibody"; Cancer Detection and Prevention 12:313-320,1988.
10. 10. "Malignin antibody and early malignancy"(abstract below); The Lancet 337:977,1991.
11. 11. "Malignin Antibody Returns to Normal After Successful Treatment of Breast Cancer"; Cancer Detection and Prevention 17(l):180,1993.
12. 12. "Malignin Antibody As Early Warning"; Cancer Detection and Prevention 17(l): 229,1993.
13. 13. "Comparison of Antimalignin With Other Markers for Early Detection and Surrogate Endpoint Use in Chemoprevention Trials for Breast, Colon, and Prostate Cancer"' J. Cell Biochem. 19:61,1994 (National Cancer Institute Symposium).
14. 14. "Early Detection and Monitoring of Cancer with the Anti-Malignin Antibody Test" ; Cancer Detection and Prevention: 18(l):65-78,1994.
15. 15. "A Checklist for Suitability of Biomarkers as Surrogate Endpoints in Chemoprevention of Breast Cancer" (abstract below) ; J. Cell. Biochem 19:172-185,1994 (National Cancer Institute Symposium).
16. 16. "Aglyco Pathology of Viral Receptors in Dementias. In Functional Diversity of Interacting Receptors"; New York Academy of Sciences 757:413-417,1995.
17. 17. "Return of Elevated Antimalignin Antibody to Normal Indicates Remission of Breast Cancer"; American Association for Cancer Research 37:486,1996.
18. 18. "Antimalignin Antibody (AMAS®) Elevation Detects Persistent or Recurrent Breast Cancer"; Cancer Detection and Prevention 20(5):508-509,1996.
19. 19. "A New Era for Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Based Upon Earlier, Asymptomatic, Detection"; J. Adv. Med. 10:149-150,1997.
20. 20. "Production of a Synthetic General Cancer Vaccine Which Augments the Concentration of Antimalignin Antibody In Vivo" ; Cancer Detection and Prevention 22(l):S-227,1998.
21. 21. "A Quantitative Immune Response in Human Cancer" ; Cancer Detection and Prevention 22(l):S-159,1998.

         

Quotes from physicians

"I believe that people with high risk in their family of cancer, or people over 45 or 50 should definitely take the test. People over 45 or 50 should be screened with the AMAS® Test in the same way people receive routine mammographies and other kinds of tests including the PSA. I think the AMAS® Test should be included.

In my practice I’ve also used this test effectively in patients with clinical symptoms that are not clear: i.e . vague clinical symptoms. To give you a short example a 35 year old woman was having pelvic pain and she had just delivered a baby. She had seen several physicians. They diagnosed here with irritable bowel but they didn’t know what was going on, so she came to see me. I did the AMAS® because the pain was getting more severe and more intense for her and no one could see anything.

The AMAS® TEST was positive. So I called one of my Oncology/Gyn friends and said you have got to look over this lady very carefully. There is something going on in her pelvis. Amazingly they found a small malignant tumor at the junction of the cervix and the vaginal wall –a very small little knot. They took it out. The pain went away. Her AMAS® came back to normal after three or four months and that was two or three years ago and she’s been healthy ever since. It was a malignant tumor. It is phenomenal. And of course her family is grateful, three children, and her husband.

Most people who come in will have some area in their body they are complaining about. She had focused discomfort and pain- clinical symptoms. When you zero in on that area first and then you expand to other general evaluations, you usually are able to find the source of the problem. This a classic example where a young lady would have probably developed severe cancer over the next two years. It was exciting to find the cancer early.

I rely on colleagues in the relevant areas of specialty to explore the lung, the breast. They do their part of the evaluation. I use the AMAS® Test with my patients as part of the total review which includes family history, personal history, physicians review. I use all of the diagnostic tests together.”

Carol Ann Ryser, M.D.
Kansas City, MO

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"The AMAS test is a powerful diagnostic and prognostic tool when used properly. Measuring the levels of antibodies to Malignin, it can be used to diagnose sub-clinical cancer. That is, it can detect very small tumors before they become evident by usual diagnostic tests and physical exam. Small cancers can often be treated for cure with either conventional means or natural means. This is truly one of the weapons against cancer that is grossly underutilized.

Use of the AMAS can prevent unnecessary procedures or prompt further investigation. For instance, statistics show that up to nine of 10 biopsies done because of an "abnormal" mammogram, are done for non-cancerous lesions. Also, many of the pathology reports of breast biopsies read as cancerous actually represent benign (non-cancerous) conditions. If the AMAS were used in these cases, many unnecessary, anxiety provoking surgical procedures could be avoided. Additionally, misdiagnoses of breast cancer that often lead to chemotherapy and radiation treatment, could be avoided in many cases. The mammogram is far too sensitive (it detects "disease" frequently when there is none), very non-specific (it can't always separate benign from malignant disease) and can deal a potentially cancer-causing dose of radiation. I have replaced this by breast MRI and/or the AMAS test. I have helped many of my patients avoid unnecessary surgery or biopsies with judicious use of this test.

The AMAS, in conjunction with other clinical studies including assessment of the immune system, can help follow the progress of treatment or the need for intensification of therapy when dealing with a known cancer. It also assists with prognosis, detection of tumor progression or regression, and efficacy of a particular treatment protocol.

To patients, I suggest strongly that they find a competent clinician familiar with the AMAS test and its interpretation to assess their individual needs and guide them in their decision-making.”

Margaret Rank, M.D.
Melbourne, FL