Introduction

In a shocking turn of events, a US-based medical startup, ExThera, has garnered attention for its bold claims regarding a blood-filtering device believed to have the potential to cure cancer. This dubious promise caught the eye of billionaire Alan Quasha, who purchased the devices and initiated operations at a clinic in the Caribbean island of Antigua, where oversight from US health regulators was nonexistent. The treatments, costing patients a staggering $45,000 per session, aimed to attract desperate individuals battling terminal cancer.

Alarmingly High Mortality Rates

However, recent investigations by The New York Times revealed alarming outcomes. Out of approximately two dozen patients treated at the Antigua clinic, at least six died—raising serious concerns about the device's efficacy and the clinic’s practices. Family members and medical professionals reported horrendous conditions, including inadequate anesthesia during procedures and the absence of basic hygiene measures.

Skepticism Surrounding Claims

Critics are now questioning the viability of the cancer-curing claims surrounding the ExThera device, suggesting they may have been exaggerated or entirely fabricated. “I feel so duped by all these people,” lamented Kim Hudlow, whose husband, David, sought treatment at the clinic. “The way this was spun up and the way it was explained, they got me.”

Regulatory Oversight and Device Approval

Although the ExThera device was previously approved by the FDA for emergency COVID-19 applications, its more recent suggested use—to filter circulating tumor cells (CTCs)—to combat cancer metastasis, lacks robust backing. Preliminary findings from a small study in Croatia produced some hopeful results, but critics noted the study involved only a dozen patients and lacked oncological expertise.

Financial Backing and Clinic Operations

Quasha, enticed by these inconclusive results, funneled millions into ExThera through his firm Quadrant Management and masterminded the establishment of the Antigua clinic via a subsidiary. This made the experimental treatment accessible without the burdensome approval process typical in the US healthcare system.

Disturbing Conditions Reported

However, when Jonathan Chow, ExThera's director of medical affairs, visited the facility, he reported a distressing scene. Patients were reportedly bleeding excessively, and at least one patient was in visible agony. It was alarming to learn that patients were dissuaded from pursuing chemotherapy—widely recognized as the most effective standard treatment for cancer—with none of the clinic’s medical staff being oncologists.

Concerns from Medical Professionals

Dr. Joey John, the lead physician at the clinic, allegedly performed procedures without imaging or adequate anesthesia. After voicing his concerns to ExThera's management and receiving no support, Chow chose to resign, exemplifying the troubling nature of the clinic.

Patient Experiences and Miscommunication

Kim Hudlow, a trained nurse, expressed her horror at the treatment her husband endured, stating that after his initial round of therapy, his condition deteriorated significantly—his cancer worsening and growing aggressively. Misleading reassurances were provided by Ilic, a high-ranking official at ExThera, claiming that pain was indicative of a “strong immune activation.” The situation become increasingly dire when Hudlow’s husband was later rushed to a US hospital, only to succumb to his illness just days later.

Tragic Outcomes

In a tragic twist, another patient, Ashley Sullivan, faced a similar fate. After expressing her concerns about developing new tumors post-treatment, she received dismissive responses from Ilic, who insisted her treatment was effective. Unfortunately, Sullivan passed away three months later.

Ethical Concerns and Conclusion

As this situation unfolds, it raises critical questions about the ethics and oversight of experimental medical treatments. Patients seeking hope in alternative therapies must demand transparency and accountability to prevent such heartbreaking losses in the future. As the conversation around cancer treatment continues, the public looks for answers from both the medical community and regulatory bodies tasked with patient safety.