How can modified citrus pectin help you? What the research says

Modified citrus pectin is a plant-based dietary supplement with very preliminary evidence of anticancer and antimetastatic effects.

How can modified citrus pectin help you? What the research says

We summarize the clinical evidence for each medical benefit here. We begin with our assessment of the strength of evidence within each category, followed by a brief summary of individual studies or reviews of several studies. In assessing the strength of evidence, we consider the study design, number of participants, and the size of the treatment effect (how much outcomes changed with treatment).

To see more details, click the plus sign to the right of any section.

Our assessments of evidence for each medical benefit fall into one of these categories:

Strong evidence: consistent, significant effects in several large (or at least one very large) well designed clinical studies or at least two meta-analysesa statistical analysis that combines the results of two or more research studies; the results of smaller research studies addressing the same or similar questions can be analyzed as though they are one bigger, more powerful study of clinical studies of moderate or better quality (or one large meta-analysis) finding similar results
Good evidence: significant effects in one large or several mid-sized and well-designed clinical studies ( randomized controlled trialsa 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 with an appropriate placebo or other strong comparison control or observational studies that control for confounds)
Modest evidence: significant effects in at least three small but well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or one or more well-designed, mid-sized clinical studies of reasonably good quality (RCTs or observationala type of study in which individuals are observed or certain outcomes are measured, but no attempt is made to affect the outcome (for example, no treatment is given); an example is a study that records people’s diets, but doesn’t try to alter their diets, and looks for patterns of disease or other outcomes related to different foods studies), or several small studies aggregated into a meta-analysis
Preliminary evidence: significant effects in small or poorly designed clinical studies OR conflicting results in adequate studies but a preponderance of evidence of an effect
Weak evidence: one or more case studies, supported by animal evidence OR small treatment effects of limited clinical significance OR studies with no controls OR weak trends of effects
Insufficient evidence: preclinical evidence only OR clinical studies with such poor or unclear methodology that no conclusion can be drawn OR conflicting findings across clinical studies with no preponderance of evidence in one direction; conflicting evidence occurs when studies find conflicting effects (positive effect vs no effect or negative effect) with the same treatment and the same general study population (same cancer type, for example)

Learn more about how we research and rate therapies and practices in How We Rate Therapies ›

Improving treatment outcomes

Is modified citrus pectin linked to improved survival? Is it linked to less cancer growth or metastasis? Does it enhance the anticancer action of other treatments or therapies? We present the evidence.

Preclinical evidence is listed in Are you a health professional? ›

Cancer as a whole

Weak evidenceone or more case studies, supported by animal evidence OR small treatment effects of limited clinical significance OR studies with no controls OR weak trends of effects (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of clinical response and stable disease among a few people with various solid tumors treated with MCP

Prostate cancer

Weak evidence of better disease markers (PSA) after localized treatment for biochemically relapsed prostate cancer among people with biochemical PSA failure treated with MCP

Optimizing your body terrain

Does modified citrus pectin promote an environment within your body that is less supportive of cancer development, growth, or spread? We present the evidence.

The only published evidence we have found regarding MCP’s use in improving body terrainthe internal conditions of your body, including nutritional status, fitness, blood sugar balance, hormone balance, inflammation and more factors is preclinical—involving cells, tissues, or lab animals. Studies are listed in Are you a health professional? ›

Managing side effects and promoting wellness

Is modified citrus pectin linked to fewer or less severe side effects or symptoms? Is it linked to less toxicity from cancer treatment? Does it support your quality of life or promote general well-being? We present the evidence.

Breathing difficulties

Weak evidenceone or more case studies, supported by animal evidence OR small treatment effects of limited clinical significance OR studies with no controls OR weak trends of effects (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of fewer breathing difficulties among people with various solid tumors treated with MCP

Changes in appetite

Weak evidence of less appetite loss among people with various solid tumors treated with MCP

Fatigue

Weak evidence of less fatigue among people with various solid tumors treated with MCP

Pain

Weak evidence of less pain among people with various solid tumors treated with MCP

Quality of life and physical function

Weak evidence of better physical functioning, role functioning, social functioning, and global health status among people with various solid tumors treated with MCP

Sleep disruption

Weak evidence of less insomnia among people with various solid tumors treated with MCP

Keep reading about modified citrus pectin

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Author

Nancy Hepp, MS

Lead Researcher

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Reviewer

Andrew Jackson, ND

Research Associate

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Last update: December 18, 2023

Last full literature review: April 2023

CancerChoices provides information about integrativein cancer care, a patient-centered approach combining the best of conventional care, self care, and evidence-informed complementary care in an integrated plan cancer care. We review complementaryin cancer care, complementary care involves the use of therapies intended to enhance or add to standard conventional treatments; examples include supplements, mind-body approaches such as yoga or psychosocialtherapy, and acupuncture therapies and self carelifestyle actions and behaviors that may impact cancer outcomes; examples include eating health-promoting foods, limiting alcohol, increasing physical activity, and managing stress practices to help patients and professionals explore and integrate the best combination of conventionalthe cancer care offered by conventionally trained physicians and most hospitals; examples are chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy and complementary therapies and practices for each person.

Our staff have no financial conflicts of interest to declare. We receive no funds from any manufacturers or retailers gaining financial profit by promoting or discouraging therapies mentioned on this site.

1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9	Azémar M, Hildenbrand B, Haering B, Heim ME, Unger C. Clinical benefit in patients with advanced solid tumors treated with modified citrus pectin: a prospective pilot study. Clinical Medicine: Oncology. 2007;1:S285.
2	Guess BW, Scholz MC et al. Modified citrus pectin (MCP) increases the prostate-specific antigen doubling time in men with prostate cancer: a phase II pilot study. Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases. 2003;6(4):301-4.
3	Keizman D, Frenkel M et al. Modified citrus pectin treatment in non-metastatic biochemically relapsed prostate cancer: results of a prospective phase II study. Nutrients. 2021 Nov 28;13(12):4295.
6	Azémar M, Hildenbrand B, Haering B, Heim ME, Unger C. Clinical benefit in patients with advanced solid tumors treated with modified citrus pectin: a prospective pilot study. Clinical Medicine: Oncology. 2007;1:S285.

Modified Citrus Pectin

How can modified citrus pectin help you? What the research says

Improving treatment outcomes

Optimizing your body terrain

Managing side effects and promoting wellness

Keep reading about modified citrus pectin

Author

Nancy Hepp, MS

Reviewer

Andrew Jackson, ND

Learn more

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