A “revolutionary”, “effective against cancer” therapy? ANSM orders illegal advertising to be stopped

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The National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) summoned three companies this Thursday, November 28, 2024 to suspend their illegal advertising of a therapy in the treatment of cancer not authorized in France.

Alerted a month ago by its European counterparts, the ANSM took this health police measure against the Irish companies Immucura and Immunyo, and the Swiss Iaso Health GmbH.

These companies promote an illegal anti-cancer treatment “dendritic cell immunotherapy” on their websites and social networks, specifies the ANSM in a press release.

No permission

These companies “unfoundedly present their treatment as an effective solution against cancer” which “would be devoid of adverse effects” while this therapy has not obtained any marketing authorization in Europe, warns the drug policeman.

They must “immediately remove this content” to “protect patients and prevent them from resorting to therapies for which there is no data on effectiveness or safety,” Alexandre de La Volpilière, deputy general director, told AFP. responsible for ANSM operations.

Advertising is illegal, since it is not authorized to advertise a medicine without the authorization and approval of the medicines agency.

If it “continues to be displayed, there will be potentially criminal sanctions,” he warned.

Other countries concerned

The agency continues “investigations in conjunction with its European counterparts” and reserves “the right to refer the matter to the public prosecutor as well as to make a report on the official portal for reporting illegal Internet content (PHAROS) “.

Spain, Switzerland and Belgium also reacted to this illicit campaign, according to Alexandre de La Volpilière.

“At this stage, no French patient has been identified with certainty as having received the treatment,” underlines the ANSM. “But press articles, patient fundraising and discussions on forums suggest that some are interested in this therapy, or even have gone to Germany to have the treatment administered.”

Three companies, but not “sufficient” results

On its site, Immunyo touts a “revolutionary” and “affordable” therapy, available “from 18,950 euros”.

She offers to treat patients at one of their associated clinics or even send a medical team to their home.

Immucura offers them the opportunity to book a free 30-minute call with a cancer expert to discuss its “natural immunotherapy”.

Iaso, for his part, presents dendritic cell therapy as “the gentlest and most natural method of fighting cancer”.

“It is a therapy that is potentially promising, but however, at this stage, we do not yet have sufficient results to allow this type of drug to be placed on the market,” concludes Alexandre de La. Volpilière.

Source: AFP.

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