An illicit cancer therapy banned from advertising

Three companies are promoting a therapy online that meets the drug definition, but has not received any marketing authorization. The removal of these advertisements was ordered by the ANSM.

The National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) ordered three companies to suspend the promotion of their anti-cancer treatment “dendritic cell immunotherapy”. Alerted by its European counterparts, the ANSM ordered, Thursday, November 28, the Irish companies Immucura, Immunyo and Swiss Iaso Health GmbH to immediately remove from their websites and social networks the elements promoting this therapy which “meets the definition of a medicinal product but has not been the subject of marketing authorization in France or in Europe”. Immunoyo touts a therapy on its site “revolutionary” et ” affordable “available “from 18,950 euros”. The company offers to treat its patients in an associated clinic or to send a team to their home. Iaso, for her part, presents dendritic cell therapy as “the gentlest and most natural method of fighting cancer”. The ANSM considers that the presentation of this therapy as being effective, as having a very favorable safety profile, as being non-invasive and devoid of adverse effects, is unfounded. The drug policeman therefore suspends the illegal advertising of this therapy “until it is brought into compliance with the regulations relating to the drug”. Spain, Switzerland and Belgium also reacted to this illicit campaign. The day after the publication of this decision, the advertisements could still be viewed on the websites of the three companies. The ANSM advises patients who have used or wish to use this treatment to consult their oncologist and has set up a platform to report any adverse effects resulting from its use.