Pune: A study conducted at Rasayu Cancer Clinic in the city for almost a decade provided clinical evidence of Ayurveda Rasayana Therapy (ART)’s effectiveness in managing advanced pancreatic cancer and increasing the survival duration of patients.Led by Dr Yogesh Bendale, the CMD of Rasayu Cancer Clinic, the study was conducted on 17 advanced-stage pancreatic cancer patients. It was published in the international journal “Cancer Research”, having an impact factor of 16.6.Dr Bendale said, “Our research spanned from 2015 to 2024. By benchmarking our survival data against global peer-reviewed scientific literature, we observed that the average survival duration of patients undergoing the ART effectively doubled — reaching 10-11 months compared to the typical 3-6 month prognosis. We employed rigorous radiological investigations, including PET-CT, CT and MRI scans, to scientifically monitor the tumor behavior and treatment response. This study validates that a scientifically-backed ayurvedic approach can significantly extend life expectancy and improve the quality of life for pancreatic cancer patients globally.”Pancreatic cancer is one of the most challenging malignancies to treat. It is often diagnosed at a late stage, when therapeutic options are limited. In such cases, average survival typically ranges from three to six months.Beyond survival, researchers reported notable improvements in patients’ quality of life. Many experienced better appetite, reduced fatigue and an overall improvement in daily functioning. In nearly 12% of cases, a reduction in tumour size was observed, an outcome considered significant given the advanced stage of the disease.Dr Bendale said the therapy works by enhancing the body’s intrinsic strength and resilience to fight cancer. “In advanced pancreatic cancer, where treatment options are often exhausted, rasayana therapy offers patients a chance to live longer with dignity and improved well-being,” he said.“Patients were treated exclusively with ayurvedic rasayana preparations. Health-related QoL was assessed by the FACT-G questionnaire and performance status was measured by the ECOG scale at the baseline and on the 90th day. The patient’s anorexia was measured by the Anorexia-Cachexia Scale (ACS),” Dr Bendale said.Dr Poonam Birari-Gavande, who was a part of the study, said, “The study underscores the growing relevance of integrative oncology — where ayurveda not only compliments western medicine but also manages unmet needs where standard treatments are not feasible. While such integration is increasingly being explored globally, experts said India still needed stronger collaboration between modern medical practitioners and ayurvedic clinicians,” he said.Dr Priyanka Shirole and Dr Avinash Kadam were other members of the study team.
