Luigi di Bella
Encyclopedia
Luigi di Bella was an Italian
medical doctor and physiology professor. In the late 1990s, he created a purported treatment for cancer
that precipitated an international controversy. Di Bella was born in Linguaglossa
, Sicily
. He studied medicine at Bari University
, and worked as an army doctor in Greece
. In 1948, he became a professor of physiology at the University of Modena.
During the late 1990s, di Bella developed a cocktail of drugs, vitamins and hormones (Melatonin
, ACTH and Somatostatin
) which he argued would be useful in fighting cancer. Following national exposure in 1997 and 1998, several cancer patients from around the world traveled to his clinic seeking access to a "miracle cure". Medical authorities later found his treatment to be without scientific merit, although di Bella rejected their conclusions and argued that drug companies were conspiring against him.
Di Bella's work fomented of a political controversy in Italy. The centre-left government of Romano Prodi
was skeptical of his research, while right-wing parties such as the AN
supported him.
In May 2007, comes the final rejection in a letter written December 30, 2005 by the Chairman of the Board of Health Mario Condorelli to the then Health Minister Francesco Storace AN
: "The Working of the Board of Health considers that it had not any evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of multitherapy Di Bella and therefore do not recommend a new clinical trial ministerial and this could be not only ineffective but also harmful to the patients by denying them (or procrastinating) access to anti-cancer drugs of proven effectiveness."
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
medical doctor and physiology professor. In the late 1990s, he created a purported treatment for cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
that precipitated an international controversy. Di Bella was born in Linguaglossa
Linguaglossa
Linguaglossa is a town and comune in the Province of Catania in Italy, located on the northern side of Mount Etna. It was founded on a lava stream in 1566 which is reflected in the Sicilian name "tongue red"....
, Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
. He studied medicine at Bari University
University of Bari
The University of Bari is a university located in Bari, Italy. It was founded in 1925 and is organized in 12 Faculties.-Organization:These are the 13 faculties in which the university is divided into:* Faculty of Agricultural Science...
, and worked as an army doctor in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. In 1948, he became a professor of physiology at the University of Modena.
During the late 1990s, di Bella developed a cocktail of drugs, vitamins and hormones (Melatonin
Melatonin
Melatonin , also known chemically as N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, is a naturally occurring compound found in animals, plants, and microbes...
, ACTH and Somatostatin
Somatostatin
Somatostatin is a peptide hormone that regulates the endocrine system and affects neurotransmission and cell proliferation via interaction with G-protein-coupled somatostatin receptors and inhibition of the release of numerous secondary hormones.Somatostatin...
) which he argued would be useful in fighting cancer. Following national exposure in 1997 and 1998, several cancer patients from around the world traveled to his clinic seeking access to a "miracle cure". Medical authorities later found his treatment to be without scientific merit, although di Bella rejected their conclusions and argued that drug companies were conspiring against him.
Di Bella's work fomented of a political controversy in Italy. The centre-left government of Romano Prodi
Romano Prodi
Romano Prodi is an Italian politician and statesman. He served as the Prime Minister of Italy, from 17 May 1996 to 21 October 1998 and from 17 May 2006 to 8 May 2008...
was skeptical of his research, while right-wing parties such as the AN
National Alliance (Italy)
National Alliance was a conservative political party in Italy.Gianfranco Fini was the leader of the party since its foundation in 1995, however he stepped down in 2008 after being elected to the nominally non-partisan post of President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies and was succeeded by...
supported him.
In May 2007, comes the final rejection in a letter written December 30, 2005 by the Chairman of the Board of Health Mario Condorelli to the then Health Minister Francesco Storace AN
National Alliance (Italy)
National Alliance was a conservative political party in Italy.Gianfranco Fini was the leader of the party since its foundation in 1995, however he stepped down in 2008 after being elected to the nominally non-partisan post of President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies and was succeeded by...
: "The Working of the Board of Health considers that it had not any evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of multitherapy Di Bella and therefore do not recommend a new clinical trial ministerial and this could be not only ineffective but also harmful to the patients by denying them (or procrastinating) access to anti-cancer drugs of proven effectiveness."
Books
- Di Bella L Ruolo del. sistema abenulo-epifisario nella regolazione del tasso piastrinemico. Bol. SIBS, 1969, 45,
- Di Bella L et al. Dinamica midollare dopo trattamento subacuto e cronico con Melatonina. Boll. SIBS, 1971, 47, Com.125.
- Di Bella L Orientamenti fisiologici nella terapia delle emopatie. Boll. Sc. Med. 1974, 1-3.
- Di Bella L Physiological Basis for a rational therapy of bone marrow diseases. XVIth Internat. Congr. of Hematol., Kyoto, 1976, 9-45.
- Di Bella L et al. Azione mielotropa della Melatonina (MLT). Boll. SIBS, 1976, 52, Com.26.
- Di Bella L et al.Effetti della somatostatina sulla funzione del midollo osseo. Boll. SIBS, 1977, 53, Com.42.
- Di Bella L et al. Perspectives in Pineal functions. Progress in Brain Research, vol.52, Elsevier Publ. Co., Amsterdam, 1979.
- Di Bella L et al. L’aggregazione piastrinica in presenza di melatonina (MLT). Relazione alla Riunione della Società Italiana di Fisiologia, 25-26 Maggio 1979.
- Di Bella L et al.Effetti della Melatonina (MLT) sulle piastrine in vitro. Boll. SIBS, 1979, 55, Com.114.
- Di Bella L et al. Sul ruolo fisiologico della Melatonina (MLT) nella regolazione del tasso piastrinemico, Boll. SIBS; 1979, 55, Com. 68.
- Di Bella L et al.Melatonin: an essential factor for the treatment and recovery from leukemia and cancer. International Symposium on Melatonin, 1980, N.Birau & W.Schloot (Eds), pag 161-162.
- Di Bella L et al.Platelet turnover as influenced by melatonin. International Symposium on Melatonin, 1980, N. Birau & W.Schloot (Eds.), pag.173-174.
- Di Bella L et al.Red blood cells generation and melatonin. International Symposium on Melatonin, 1980, N.Birau & W.Schloot (Eds.), pag.175-176.
- Di Bella L et al. Somatostatin in cancer therapy. 2nd International Symposium of Somatostatin, 1981.
- Di Bella L et al. Neurotropic action of melatonin. Satellite Meeting of International Society for Neurochemistry, 1981.
- Di Bella L et al. Molecular mechanism of bone marrow thrombocytogenesis by melatonin. Second Colloquium of the European Study Group,1981.
- Di Bella L et al.Bone marrow platelet production after melatonin i.v. infusion. Third colloquium of the European Pineal Study Group, Pécs, 1984.
- Di Bella L et al.Some aspects of the neurothropic action of melatonin. Third colloquium of the European Pineal Study Group, Pécs, 1984.
- Di Bella L et al. Melatonin in thrombocytogenesis. First Internationa Congress on Melatonin in humans, Vienna, 7 settembre 1985.
- Di Bella L et al. The bone marrow on the megacariocytes as a substrates of melatonin action. XXX Congress Proceedings of the International Union of Physiological Sciences, Vancouver, July 13, 1986.
- Di Bella L et al. ‘Melatonin in Thrombocytogenesis’, Intern. Workshop, Tübingen, Sept.6-8, (1987), Rossi M.T. Published in The pineal Gland an Cancer Russel J. (Ed.), Reiter.
- Di Bella L Melatonin in cancer therapy. A satellite symposium of the 8th International Congress of Endocrinology, Hong Kong, Abstract from Symposium on melatonin and the pineal gland, 1988.
- Di Bella L et al. Effect of Melatonin on circadian water intake by normal and tumor-bearing rats, Riunione cong. SIBS-SIF-SINU, Ischia, 1994.
- Di Bella L Melatonina dalla ricerca agli interventi – Atti del convegno – Reggio Calabria 23/01/97
- Di Bella L et al. Cytocalasin B influence on megacaryocyte patch-clamp. Congresso Internazionale di Amburgo, 27 agosto 1998.
- Di Bella L et al.Melatonin effects on megakaryocyte membrane patch-clamp outward K+ current. Med Sci Monit, 2002; 8(12): BR527-531
- Di Bella G. , Colori B.Complete objective response of neuroblastoma to biological treatment.Neuro Endocrinol Lett.:2009, 30(4): 102-113. P.O
- Di Bella G. , Madarena M Complete objective response of oesophageal squamocellular carcinoma to biological treatment..Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2009;30(3):312-2 P.O1
- Di Bella G. “ Il Metodo Di Bella “ Mattioli Editore 3° Edizione 2005
- Di Bella L, Gualano L. Key aspects of melatonin physiology: thirty years of research. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2006; 27(4): 425-432.
- Di Bella L, Rossi MT, Scalera G. Perspectives in pineal functions. Prog Brain Res. 1979; 52: 475-478.
- Di Bella L. Orientamenti fisiologici nella terapia delle emopatie. Bull Sc Med. 1974; 145:1-3
- Di Bella L, Rossi MT, Scalera G. Perspectives in Pineal Function. Prog Brain Res. 1979; 52:475-478
- Proceedings of the Hanseatic Endocrine Conference on Melatonin after Four Decades an assessment of its potential, by James Olcese.ISBN 0-306-46134-X held August 27–30, Hamburg, Germany, 1998
- L. Di Bella, L. Gualano, C. Bruschi, S. Minuscoli, and G. Tarozzi; CYTOCHALASIN B INFLUENCE ON MEGAKARIYOCYTE PATCH-CLAMP, Private Laboratory of Physiology-Via Marianini 45 Modena 1998.
- Il multitrattamento Di Bella: risultati della sperimentazione (Ministero dalla Salute, 15 December 1999) Evaluation of an unconventional cancer treatment (the Di Bella multitherapy): results of phase II trials in Italy, British Medical JournalBritish Medical JournalBMJ is a partially open-access peer-reviewed medical journal. Originally called the British Medical Journal, the title was officially shortened to BMJ in 1988. The journal is published by the BMJ Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Medical Association...
1999; 318:224-228 - Di Bella L, Bruschi C, Gualano L. Melatonin effects on megakaryocyte membrane patch-clamp outward K+ current. Med Sci Monit. 2002; 8(12):527-531
- Di Bella L, Gualano L. Key Aspects of Melatonin Physiology: Thirty Years of Research. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2006; 27(4):425-432
- Giuseppe Di Bella, Il Metodo Di Bella (2004), Mattioli 1885 Ed.
- Achille Norsa, La multiterapia biologica razionale dei tumori: il Metodo Di Bella (2007), Mattioli 1885 Ed.
- Bruno Vespa, Luigi Di Bella-Si può guarire? (1998), Mondadori
- Luciano Gualano, Homage to Professor Di Bella (2007), Neuroendocrinology Letters; 28(3):219–220
- Complete objective response to biological therapy of plurifocal breast carcinoma.Di Bella GD.
External links
- http://www.tinet.ch/dibella/note.html
- http://www.dibella.it/
- http://www.metododibella.org/en/mdb/home.do