Gonzalez Protocol for Cancer
Gonzalez Protocol for Cancer: What It Is, How It May Help, and Safety
Authors
Christine has a dynamic background in the life sciences, public health, and program operations. Her career began at the lab bench with a Gates Foundation-funded HIV Vaccine research group, which led her to graduate studies in public health epidemiology at UC Berkeley. Her research experience spans clinical epidemiology research to evaluating the impacts of community nutrition programs in Los Angeles, the Central Valley, and Oakland. Most recently she has worked in executive operations for a seed-stage venture capital firm based in San Francisco. Personally, Christine is passionate about holistic health and wellness. She is a clinical herbalist and Reiki master, and she has been practicing yoga for 15+ years. She brings a breadth of experiences to her work leading the CancerChoices program.
Maria Williams is a research and communications consultant who brings over 15 years’ experience in research, consumer education, and science communication to CancerChoices. She has worked primarily in public health and environmental health.
Clinical reviewer
Laura Pole is senior clinical consultant for CancerChoices. Laura is an oncology clinical nurse specialist who has been providing integrative oncology clinical care, navigation, consultation, and education services for over 40 years. She is the co-creator and co-coordinator of the Integrative Oncology Navigation Training at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts in Washington, DC. Laura also manages the “Media Watch Cancer News That You Can Use” listserv for Smith Center/Commonweal. In her role as a palliative care educator and consultant, Laura has served as statewide Respecting Choices Faculty for the Virginia POST (Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment) Collaborative as well as provided statewide professional education on palliative and end-of-life care for the Virginia Association for Hospices and Palliative Care.
For CancerChoices, Laura curates content and research, networks with clinical and organizational partners, brings awareness and education of integrative oncology at professional and patient conferences and programs, and translates research into information relevant to the patient experience as well as clinical practice.
Laura sees her work with CancerChoices as a perfect alignment of all her passions, knowledge and skills in integrative oncology care. She is honored to serve you.
Last update: May 12, 2026
Gonzalez Protocol for cancer: what you need to know
- Very few published studies have investigated outcomes among people with cancer treated with the Gonzalez Protocol, and evidence of potential benefits is extremely limited.
- The Gonzalez Protocol uses freeze-dried pork pancreas, nutritional supplements, an individualized diet, and coffee enemas with the goal to alter cancer metabolism and inhibit growth.
- One small study found higher mortality and worse quality of life among people with pancreatic cancer following the Gonzalez Protocol compared to those treated with chemotherapy.
- This protocol has some similarities to the Gerson Regimen but differs substantially in supplementation amounts and dietary recommendations.
- The Gonzalez Protocol is not a standalone treatment for cancer and does not have evidence to support its claims.
What is the Gonzalez Protocol?
The Gonzalez Protocol uses freeze-dried pork pancreas, a large number of nutritional supplements (more than 100 per day), an individualized diet of mostly organic food, and coffee enemas (twice a day) with the goal to alter cancer metabolism and inhibit growth. The freeze-dried pork pancreas, containing naturally occurring pancreatic enzymes and enzyme precursors, is used as the main anticancer component of the protocol, but there is no evidence to substantiate its effectiveness as a cancer therapy.1PDQ Integrative, Alternative, and Complementary Therapies Editorial Board. Gonzalez Regimen (PDQ™): Patient Version. 2015 Sep 4. In: PDQ Cancer Information Summaries [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute (US); 2002–. Viewed August 26, 2022.
This protocol combines the work of Nicholas Gonzalez, MD; Linda Isaacs, MD; and William Kelley, DDS. While this protocol has some similarities to the theories and practice of Max Gerson, MD, it differs substantially in supplementation amounts and dietary recommendations.2PDQ Integrative, Alternative, and Complementary Therapies Editorial Board. Gonzalez Regimen (PDQ™): Patient Version. 2015 Sep 4. In: PDQ Cancer Information Summaries [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute (US); 2002–. Viewed August 26, 2022. See Gerson Regimen ›
Very few published studies have investigated outcomes among people with cancer treated with the Gonzalez Protocol. Case studies have shown potential benefits but the data is extremely limited, and a small controlled trial found worse outcomes compared to chemotherapy. The National Cancer Institute has stated: “Existing clinical data concerning the effectiveness of the Gonzalez regimen as a treatment for cancer are limited and inconclusive.”3PDQ Integrative, Alternative, and Complementary Therapies Editorial Board. Gonzalez Regimen (PDQ™): Professional Version. National Cancer Institute. August 22, 2018. Viewed May 12, 2026.
We encourage you to discuss any dietary and nutritional modifications with your oncology team. For general dietary guidelines for people with cancer and a discussion of popular “anticancer” diets, see our page Eating Well ›
Safety
- One small study found that people with inoperable pancreatic cancer following the Gonzalez protocol had higher mortality and worse quality of life than those treated with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy.
- Reported side effects include digestive symptoms (intestinal gas, occasional bloating and indigestion) and flu-like syndromes including low-grade fever, muscle aches, and skin rashes.
How the Gonzalez Protocol may help people with cancer
Strength of evidence rating
We rate the strength of the evidence with 0=no evidence, 1=weak evidence, 2=modest evidence, and 3=good evidence. Read more about our method in detail here ›
Improving treatment outcomes
See MoreThis therapy has a score of 0 because there is conflicting evidence of the Gonzalez Protocol’s association with treatment outcomes. A few case studiesa descriptive and exploratory analysis of a person, group, or event regarding changes observed over time; because changes due to treatment are not compared to similar changes over time without treatment, a case study is considered a weak study design report longer survival with application of the Gonzalez Protocol4Ross CA. Case examples from the Gonzalez Protocol for treatment of cancer. Journal of Cancer Prevention & Current Research. 2017 Oct;8(5):00292; Isaacs LL. An enzyme-based nutritional protocol in metastatic cancer: case reports of a patient with colon cancer and a patient with lung cancer. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 2019 Jul;25(4):16-19; Gonzalez NJ, Isaacs LL. Evaluation of pancreatic proteolytic enzyme treatment of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, with nutrition and detoxification support. Nutrition and Cancer 1999;33:117-124 while a small randomized controlled triala study design in which people are randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group to compare the outcomes from different treatments; an RCT is considered a strong design for determining a therapy’s effects points toward worse outcomes, and worse quality of life.5Chabot JA, Tsai WY et al. Pancreatic proteolytic enzyme therapy compared with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2010 Apr 20;28(12):2058-63.
Managing side effects
See MoreWe did not find any research suggesting that the Gonzalez Protocol may help manage cancer side effects.
Optimizing your body terrain
We did not find any research investigating the Gonzalez Protocol for body terrain factors.
Reducing cancer risk or recurrence
We did not find any research investigating the Gonzalez Protocol for reducing cancer risk or recurrence.
See the full evidence summary ›
Affordability and access
Is a prescription required?
- No
Where to find it
- This protocol is offered by physicians trained in the Gonzalez Protocol.
Affordability
- Total annual costs for the full program can range from $15,000 to $22,000, including about $1,300 or so per month for supplements for a person with cancer, but costs vary across individuals.
- Many insurance companies, including Medicare and Medicaid, will not reimburse for any part of the services.
Find an integrative provider ›
Full safety details
Side effects and adverse reactions
Side effects reported by researchers:6Gonzalez NJ, Isaacs LL. Evaluation of pancreatic proteolytic enzyme treatment of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, with nutrition and detoxification support. Nutrition and Cancer 1999;33:117-124; Pancreatic cancer, proteolytic enzyme therapy and detoxification [excerpts]. Nicholas Gonzalez Foundation. Viewed August 26, 2022.
- Flu-like syndromes including low-grade fever, nonspecific muscle aches (myalgia), and nonspecific skin rashes
- Intestinal gas
- Occasional bloating and indigestion
Drug interactions
There are no known drug interactions with this therapy.
FAQs
- Can the Gonzalez Protocol help fight cancer?
Very few published studies have investigated the Gonzalez Protocol for cancer care and evidence of potential benefits is extremely limited. A small study found that people with inoperable pancreatic cancer following the Gonzalez protocol had higher mortality than those treated with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy. - Can the Gonzalez Protocol help with cancer side effects?
A small study found worse quality of life among people with inoperable pancreatic cancer following the Gonzalez Protocol compared to those treated with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy. There are no other studies investigating the Gonzalez Protocol for managing cancer side effects. - Can the Gonzalez Protocol cause side effects?
Reported side effects include digestive symptoms (intestinal gas, occasional bloating and indigestion) and flu-like syndromes including low-grade fever, muscle aches, and skin rashes. - Does the Gonzalez Protocol support immune function in cancer patients?
There are no studies investigating whether the Gonzalez Protocol supports immune function. - Can the Gonzalez Protocol reduce inflammation in cancer patients?
There are no studies investigating whether the Gonzalez Protocol reduces inflammation.
Read more about supplements and therapies
Whole person cancer care resources
References[+]
| 1, 2 | PDQ Integrative, Alternative, and Complementary Therapies Editorial Board. Gonzalez Regimen (PDQ™): Patient Version. 2015 Sep 4. In: PDQ Cancer Information Summaries [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute (US); 2002–. Viewed August 26, 2022. |
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| 3 | PDQ Integrative, Alternative, and Complementary Therapies Editorial Board. Gonzalez Regimen (PDQ™): Professional Version. National Cancer Institute. August 22, 2018. Viewed May 12, 2026. |
| 4 | Ross CA. Case examples from the Gonzalez Protocol for treatment of cancer. Journal of Cancer Prevention & Current Research. 2017 Oct;8(5):00292; Isaacs LL. An enzyme-based nutritional protocol in metastatic cancer: case reports of a patient with colon cancer and a patient with lung cancer. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 2019 Jul;25(4):16-19; Gonzalez NJ, Isaacs LL. Evaluation of pancreatic proteolytic enzyme treatment of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, with nutrition and detoxification support. Nutrition and Cancer 1999;33:117-124 |
| 5 | Chabot JA, Tsai WY et al. Pancreatic proteolytic enzyme therapy compared with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2010 Apr 20;28(12):2058-63. |
| 6 | Gonzalez NJ, Isaacs LL. Evaluation of pancreatic proteolytic enzyme treatment of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, with nutrition and detoxification support. Nutrition and Cancer 1999;33:117-124; Pancreatic cancer, proteolytic enzyme therapy and detoxification [excerpts]. Nicholas Gonzalez Foundation. Viewed August 26, 2022. |