Patent Publication Number: US-5629286-A

Title: Homeopathic dilutions of growth factors

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a contination of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/488,722 filed Jun. 8, 1995, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 08/221,365 filed Mar. 31, 1994, now abandoned. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the treatment of disorders such as chronic viral infections, cancer and diabetes and more particularly to the use of homeopathic dilutions of growth factors to treat such disorders. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     One aspect of this invention relates to the treatment of chronic viral infections by administration of homeopathic dilutions of growth factors. Chronic viral infections, such as herpes simplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), papilloma virus, Coxsackie B, hauta virus and hepatitis virus, affect signal transduction mechanisms with deleterious effects within and between the host&#39;s immune and nervous systems. During chronic viral infection, host cell signal transduction and cell cycle regulation are altered, often causing cell injury and cell death. 
     Viruses lack the necessary biochemical machinery to manufacture proteins and must therefore insert their genetic material into a host cell genome in order to proliferate. Viruses consist of a protein coat and genetic material. RNA viruses additionally contain reverse transcriptase, an enzyme that translates the RNA into a DNA strand before insertion in the host cell genome. 
     During viral infection, the protein coat binds to the host cell&#39;s surface membrane enabling viral genetic information to subsequently enter the host cell. Entry occurs via various methods, one of which is attachment to specific membrane receptors, including growth factor receptors. For example, the cell receptors for the Epstein Barr and herpes simplex type 1 viruses have been identified as the third component of the complement receptor and the fibroblast growth factor receptor, respectively. Insertion of viral genetic information into the host cell&#39;s genome subverts the cell&#39;s normal metabolic and genetic mechanisms in order to prioritize viral gene expression and replication. 
     Chronic, or long-term, viral infections occur when the virus overcomes or effectively disrupts the normal neuronal and immunological defense mechanisms of the host. During early infection, several viruses, such as herpes simplex virus, EBV, human herpes 6 virus (HH6V), hepatitis and HIV can be asymptomatic as immune responses and viral replication remain in balance in specific cell populations. Viral replication occurs in response to extracellular stimuli (Garcia-Blanco, M. A. and Cullen, B. R. 1991 Science 254:815-820). Infections persist as continuous viral replication occurs without substantial disruption of host cell function. Chronic viral infections terminate only when viral replication is disrupted. 
     Viral infection erodes feedback communication between the host&#39;s immune and nervous systems. For example, synthesis of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) by lymphocytes after viral infection disrupts the normal feedback loop between pituitary/hypothalamus secretion of ACTH and the adrenal gland&#39;s synthesis of glucocorticoids in response to ACTH signals. Over-expression of ACTH causes increased expression of glucocorticoids which consequentially down-regulates the pituitary and suppresses the activities of T lymphocytes. This constant stress response often leads to extreme fatigue and exhaustion in patients with chronic vital infections. In an immune compromised patient, chronic infection leads to entry of virions into the bloodstream, the lymphatic vessels and/or the nerve pathways resulting in infection of new and distant cell populations. 
     Long-term DNA viral infections correlate with chronic or cancerous illnesses. For example, hepatitis B viral infection was correlated with liver cirrhosis 44% of the time and primary hepatocellular carcinoma 58% of the time compared to 17% in a control group. EBV infection was correlated with Hodgkin&#39;s disease of the mixed cellularity type 60% of the time. Herpes type viral nucleic acid sequences from herpes simplex 1 and 2, cytomegalovirus and EBV was found in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with acute encephalitis. HH6V has been found to be a cofactor in causing chronic fatigue syndrome and AIDS. The ability of viruses to cause cancer is contained within specific sequences of the viral genome, known as oncogenes, that modulate gene transcription and regulation. 
     Gene transcription and regulation are modulated under normal conditions by growth factors. Growth factors are cell signalling polypeptides that bind to specific cell membrane receptors and initiate a cascade of intracellular events that affect cell proliferation and differentiation. As stated above, many growth factors bind to the same cell surface receptors as viruses and therefore activate the same metabolic pathways used by viral infected or transformed cells. 
     There are gene sequence homologies between growth factors, proto-oncogenes and viral oncogenes. Normal non-cancer cells contain proto-oncogenes that are homologous to the oncogene sequences found in some cancer causing viruses. Proto-oncogene as well as oncogene sequences have the power to regulate the cell cycle. Growth factors regulate the cell cycle by manipulating proto-oncogenes. Some proto-oncogene sequences are homologous with growth factors or their receptors. For example, the B chain of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is homologous to the proto-oncogene c-sis (Doolittle, R. F., et al. 1983 Science 221:275-77). The receptor for epidermal growth factor (EGF) is homologous to the proto-oncogene c-erbβ (Downward, et al. 1984 Nature 307:521-527). 
     Growth factors and viruses use the same transcription sites to regulate cell proliferation and/or viral replication, and are thus in a somewhat competitive state with one another. For example, TGFβ plays a critical role in the transmission of biological information by acting as an on/off switch that couples cell behavior to the external environment. Within the TGFβ promoter lies the proto-oncogene c-fos which codes for key transcription factors located at AP-1 transcription sites. Subversion of c-fos gene expression by HIV enhances HIV transcription and replication independent of control sites located at tat and NF k  62 (Roebuck, K. A. et al. 1993 J. Clin. Invest. 92:1336-1348). Viral transcription in the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1), a virus with many characteristics similar to HIV, is tightly regulated by a Tax transactivator site located at the c-fos AP-1 site within the TGFβ promoter (Kim etal. 1990 J. Exp. Med. 172:121-129). When the TGFβ promoter is activated so is HTLV-1 Tax. Chronic viral infection coincides with aberrant expression of growth factors throughout the body as viruses have evolved to successively overcome the regulatory actions of their competitors, growth factors. 
     Chronic viral infections can lead to up-regulation of growth factor expression. For example, HIV infection up-regulates expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ). Over-expression of either of these growth factors disrupts normal transcriptional control of gene expression, leading to suppression of hematopoietic progenitor cells and increased HIV replication. TGFβ, secreted by HIV-infected lymphocytes, also promotes growth of Kaposi&#39;s sarcoma cells, fibroblasts and endothelial cells. 
     Specific hemopoietic growth factors have been used to treat diseases such as AIDS and cancer. Hemopoietic growth factors are logical therapeutic immunomodulators to use for treatment of chronic viral infections and other diseases for several reasons. First, endogenous growth factors such as granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) stimulate proliferation of hemopoietic progenitor cells. Second, lymphocytes, macrophages and natural killer cells that normally produce these factors are quantitatively and qualitatively defective after infection by HIV, HH6V or EBV. Third, primates infused with GM-CSF showed low toxicity with some positive but inconsistent rises in platelet number. 
     However, clinical studies on AIDS patients using GM-CSF and M-CSF at pharmacological concentrations (ug/kg/day) have produced mixed results. For example, injections or intravenous administration of GM-CSF at concentrations of 0.5-0.8 ug/kg/day transiently increased leukocyte, neutrophil, eosinophil and monocyte counts in AIDS patients with no significant rise in platelet counts or change in reticulocyte and lymphocyte counts (Miles, S. 1992 AIDS Res. Hum. Retroviruses 8:1073-1080). Subcutaneous injections of 0.25-4.0 ug/kg/day improved leukocyte counts with no improvement in hemoglobin or platelet counts. However, the side effects included increased HIV replication, increased levels of P24 antigen, chills, nausea, myalgia and flu-like symptoms (Poli, G. et al. 1991 J. Exp. Med. 173:589-597; Scadden, D. T. 1990 Hematopoietic Growth Factors in Trans. Med., Wiley-liss Inc., New York, pp. 163-176). GM-CSF also occasionally caused thrombocytopenia. Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been effective in correcting neutropenia with some minor increases in lymphocyte counts. Additionally, hemoglobin and reticulocytes increased in numbers in patients given G-CSF alone or in combination with erythropoietin. However, resumption of treatment with AZT after use of these growth factors led to severe anemia. Pharmacological doses of growth factors often have harsh side effects. 
     Homeopathy, which dates back to the nineteenth century, is founded on the principles of pharmacology. One of the earliest laws of pharmacology, representing the homeopathic effect, is known as the Arndt-Schultz law. Formulated by Arndt in 1888 and restated by Hueppe, the law states: for every substance, small doses stimulate, moderate doses inhibit, large doses kill. Allopathic medicine, with its emphasis on moderate drug doses, works to inhibit undesired physical symptoms and to kill undesired pathogens. Homeopathic medicine begins with small doses and moves towards higher and higher dilutions to stimulate the body&#39;s own natural electromagnetic forces. 
     Homeopathic and allopathic principles can be represented on the same sinusoidal curve (shown in FIG. 1). There are several harmonic concentrations over a log scale of dilutions that give the same desired effect. Oscillatory data demonstrating the stimulating and inhibiting effect of log dilutions of anti-IgE antisera which caused human basophil degranulation have been generated and reproduced (Davehas, E., Beauvais, F. et al. Nature 333:816-818, 1988; Beneviste, J., Davenas, E. et al. C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris 312, series II, pp. 461-466, 1991). Control studies using dilutions of antihuman IgG antisera or simply distilled water did not produce this same effect. One of the basic tenets of homeopathic medicine is that a cure for a disease can be evoked by using a high dilution medicine that resembles but is different from the cause of the disease. Homeopathy is widely accepted as a useful therapeutic throughout Europe, the British Commonwealth countries and India, and has been demonstrated to have characteristic and reproducible effects. A critical review of more than 100 controlled and/or clinical studies of homeopathy determined that patients received positive healing benefits from homeopathy beyond the placebo effect (Kleijnen, J. et al. 1991 Brit. Med. J. 302:316-323). 
     Many homeopathic medicines are used at concentrations of micrograms (10 -6  M) and nanograms (10 -12  M); however, other homeopathic dilutions exceed Avogadro&#39;s number (6.023×10 -23 ). When homeopathic compounds are diluted 1:10, with repeated succusions (similar to vortexing) and repetitively diluted by this procedure at least 24 times a potency is achieved (10 -24 ) that is so highly dilute that the probability of a single molecule of the original substance remaining in the volume used is less than 1×10 -10 . Homeopathic practitioners believe that the potency of a compound increases with increasing dilutions. The standard homeopathic dosage is 10-15 drops of a 10 -12  molar, or 6C, solution administered two to three times per day. A 10 -60  molar or 30C may be given only one time per day. A 10 -400  molar or 200C may be given only one time per month or year. A 6C dilution approximates 1 ng/ml, which is used in cell culture but would be considered a lower than physiological dose when administered to a patient either orally or by injection. 
     Highly dilute homeopathic medicines have been effective in treating some viruses in vivo. Homeopathic dilutions of 1×10 -200  to 1×10 -1000  of typhoidinum, hydrophobinum, tuberculinum, nux vomica and malandrinum 100% inhibited pock-like lesions caused by a chicken embryo DNA virus on the chorio-allantoic membrane compared to controls (Singh, L. M. and Gupta, G. 1985 Brit. Homeopathy 74:168-174). Other homeopathic medicines, the same medicines at different homeopathic concentrations or control phosphate buffered solution (PBS), had lesser to no effect. 
     One of the advantages of homeopathic medicine in the treatment of chronic viral infections is apparent in terms of viral mutation. One of the problems associated with the use of allopathic pharmaceuticals is the drug resistance that develops as viruses mutate during frequent cycles of replication. For example, detailed kinetic studies on HIV viral load with antiviral therapy have demonstrated that the half-life of HIV in plasma is every two days. In other words, 30% of the viral load measured on any given day was produced in the last 24 hours. HIV is the most rapidly replicating and mutating virus known to man. Homeopathic therapeutics are superior to allopathic therapeutics in the treatment of chronic viral infections since homeopathic medicines, such as high dilutions of growth factors, have no molecules that viruses, such as HIV, can mutate against. Homeopathic dilutions of growth factors probably activate signal transduction pathways without using signaling molecules. 
     While the exact mechanism of action of homeopathic medicines is unknown, magnetic image resonance measurements on serial dilutions of substances indicate that the hydroxyl (OH) groups in the solvent of solutions continue to change as dilutions become successively higher (Sacks, A. D. 1983 J. Holistic Med. 5:175-176; Smith, R. and Boericke, G. 1968 J. Am. Inst. Homeopathy 61:197-212; Smith, R. and Boericke, G. 1966 J. Am. Inst. Homeopathy 59:263-279). It is clear that the specific effects of homeopathics are of a non-molecular origin, yet provide potent biological information that is clinically effective. It has been postulated that highly dilute compounds transfer biological activity to cells by electromagnetic fields (Benveniste, J. 1993 Frontier Perspectives 3:13-15). 
     Experiments in several laboratories have provided evidence that a specific biological activity can be initiated and/or modulated by highly dilute substances that contain hardly a molecule. An argument against a molecular basis for the activity is that heating dilutions to 70° F. for 30 minutes or exposure to magnetic field strengths of 50 Hz, 150 gauss, for 15 minutes totally suppresses these effects. Del Giudice et al. have hypothesized that interactions between the electric dipoles of water and the radiation fields of a charged molecule generate a permanent polarization of water which becomes coherent and has the ability to transmit specific information to cell receptors, somewhat like a laser (Del Giudice, E., Preparata, G., Vitiello, G. 1988, Phys. Rev. Lett. 61:1085-1088). 
     The cell surface membrane is the interface between electromagnetic waves and biological activity of cells. Cell membranes maintain a carefully controlled surface potential that is transiently altered by electromagnetic fields, viral attachment, and binding of neurotransmitters, hormones and growth factors to their receptors. Liboff suggests that specific ionic currents are induced by Faraday&#39;s Law which affects the cell surface receptors and ion channels. (A. R. Liboff 1985, J. Biol. Physics 13:99-102.) In specific regions of the cell, such as the location of ionic channels and cell receptors, there may be reduced wave scattering. Ionic species or charged side chains on cell receptors, will follow a resonating circular or helical well-defined orbit under the influence of electromagnetic signals. Liboff points out that channelized ions are constrained to move along helical paths. Similarly, receptor molecules are constrained within the lipid bilayer and will resonate with specific frequencies given proper periodic stimulus. Any movement or conformational changes of growth factor receptors will induce signal transduction processes. The well-ordered water molecules that participate in intermolecular hydrogen bonding networks are present in the interface regions between growth factors and their receptors, however they are not significant for protein binding (Clackson, T. and Wells, J. A., 1995 Science 267:383-386). Ordered water molecules are observed in several other protein-protein interfaces and can be present in both the bound and unbound states. For example, water molecules which fill gaps between imperfectly packed regions of human growth hormone receptors&#39; extracellular domain in the ligand/receptor bound state are fully available for electromagnetic activation in the unbound state. The integration of these separate schools of thought suggests that high dilutions of substances create changes in electromagnetic forces inducing resonance in cell surface signal proteins thus transferring biological activity through cell receptors or ionic channels and initiating signal transduction processes. 
     Bioelectromagnetics underlies biochemical reactions. The science of bioelectromagnetics studies the interactions of electromagnetic fields in living systems (Rubik, R. and Flower, R. G. 1994 Electromagnetic applications in medicine, Expanding Medical Horizons: Report to NIH on the Status of Alternative Medicine, U.S. Govt. Printing office, Washington, D.C.; Tenforde, T. S. and Kaune, W. T. 1987 Health Physics 53:585-606). Electrical stimulation of cells temporally changes the cell&#39;s membrane potential and evokes consequential changes of RNA, DNA and protein synthesis (Bourguignon, G. J. and Bourguignon, L. Y. 1987 FASEB J. 1:398-402; Rodan, G. A. et al. 1978 Science 190:690-692). Several studies on the effects of administering electromagnetic signals have been published. For example, Thomas et al. demonstrated behavioral changes in rats following administration of a cyclotron electromagnetic field which resonates for the signal for unhydrated lithium ions (Thomas J. R. et al. 1986 Bioelectromagnetics 7:349-357). Researchers also report inhibition of tumor growth after administration of human interferon alpha (IFNα) plus DC current (Sersa, G. and Miklavcic, D. 1990 Molecular Biotherapy 2:165-168). Electrical stimulation of epidermal fibroblast cells has been shown to regulate both transforming growth factor-beta and insulin receptors (Falanga, V., Bourguignon G. J., Brougiugnon, L. Y. 1987 J. Invest. Dermatol. 88:488; Bourguignon, G. J., Jy, W., Bourguignon, L. Y. 1989 J. Cell. Physiol. 140:379-385). The cell membrane, and in fact the whole body, respond to electrical and magnetic stimuli and are thus receptive to communications beyond the level of biochemical and molecular mechanisms. 
     Few effective treatments are available for disorders such as chronic viral infections, cancer and diabetes. Insulin-dependant diabetes, while regulated by insulin still has many systemic complications. Despite more than ten years of aggressive research, both conventional and naturopathic, no definitive treatment exists for HIV infection or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). There thus continues to be a need in the art for effective treatments for chronic viral infections, cancer and diabetes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an effective treatment for disorders including chronic vital infections, cancer and diabetes which will slow the progression of disease and/or relieve disease symptoms. An additional objective is to provide such a treatment which does not lead to unwanted side effects. Another objective of the present invention is to provide such a treatment at a reasonable cost. 
     These and other objectives are achieved by administering homeopathic dilutions of growth factors, or electromagnetic signals, preferably radio frequency signals, corresponding to homeopathic dilutions of growth factors, to patients. 
     Growth factors are cell signalling polypeptides which modulate cell proliferation and differentiation by binding to specific cell membrane receptors. Binding of growth factors to cell membrane receptors initiates a cascade of intracellular events that affect gene transcription and expression within the cell. Growth factors range in size from 3,500 to 250,000 daltons and, unlike hormones, generally act on nearby cells via autocrine and paracrine mechanisms. However, they may also act as second messengers for hormone signals. 
     Proteins, such as growth factors, may evolve from a common ancestor to the point where they no longer share amino acid sequence similarity. However their relatedness may be evident from a structural comparison. Polypeptide growth factors, a diverse group of regulatory agents, have similar protomeric structures. McDonald and Hendrickson have classified growth factors into six superfamilies based on homology of characteristic three dimensional structures (1993 Cell 73:421-424). X-Ray crystallographic and NMR studies have shown that growth factors contain relatively few recurring structural folds despite their diversity. When structural folding is considered, several proteins previously regarded as hormones, such as insulin and growth hormone, are subsumed into the definition of growth factors. Cytokines and growth factors are very similar in both size and function. The term &#34;growth factor&#34; as used herein, therefore encompasses cytokines and some hormones as well as the traditional growth factors. 
     A specific growth factor may have many cell sources and can use different signal transduction pathways at different times and with different cells. Growth factors are involved in complex feedback loops between the immune, nervous and endocrine systems. 
     The homeopathic dilutions of growth factors of the present invention are preferably of a concentration of less than about 10 -6  molar, and preferably between about 10 -6  molar and about 10 -100 ,000 molar. Some of the homeopathic dilutions may thus contain less than one molecule of growth factor. Homeopathic dilutions of growth factors are preferably administered orally, including liquid or solid form, such as pellets or tablets, however they may also be injected at key acupuncture or skin conductance points. 
     Growth factors which may be utilized in the present invention include granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), tumor necrosis factor (TNFα), transforming growth factors (TGFs), epidermal growth factors (EGF), stem cell factor (SCF) platelet-derived growth factors (PDGF), nerve growth factor (NGF), fibroblast growth factors (FGF), insulin-like growth factors (IGF), growth hormone, interleukin-1, interleukin-2, keratinocyte growth factor, ciliary neurotrophic growth factor, Schwann cell-derived growth factor, vaccinia virus growth factor, insulin, bombyxin, neu differentiation factor, v-Sis, glial growth factor/acetylcholine receptor-inducing activity and other proteins that belong to their structural superfamilies. 
     Chronic viral infections that may be treated using the homeopathic dilutions of growth factors of the present invention include HIV, EBV, herpes simplex, papilloma, cytomegalovirus, Coxsackie B, hauta virus, human herpes 6 virus and hepatitis viral infections. Other disorders which may be effectively treated using the methods of the present invention include insulin-dependent and non-insulin dependent diabetes, and cancers such as leukemia and adenocarcinoma. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is a sinusoidal curve demonstrating the stimulating and inhibiting effects of homeopathic and allopathic medicines. 
     FIGS. 2A and B show electrical conductance points for the hand and foot as determined by Voll. 
     FIG. 3 shows the different outputs measured by the LISTEN system. 
     FIGS. 4A-C show the absolute counts of CD4, CD8 and CD2 lymphocytes in HIV-positive patients during three months of oral administration of homeopathic dilutions of growth factors compared to administration of placebo. All patients were taking natural medicines; none were taking antiretrovirals, human proteases, or other conventional HIV treatments. No patients were taking steroidal therapy. 
     FIG. 5 shows a scattergram of the RNA count of HIV viral load in HIV-positive patients following three months of treatment with homeopathic dilutions of growth factors compared to administration of placebo. 
     FIGS. 6A and B show the percentage change and absolute change, respectively, in erythrocyte sedimentation rates in HIV-positive patients following three months of oral administration of homeopathic dilutions of growth factors compared to placebo. 
     FIG. 7 shows the weight changes in HIV-positive patients following three months of treatment with homeopathic dilutions of growth factors compared to administration of placebo. 
     FIGS. 8A-D show the change in serum calcium and phosphorus levels in HIV-positive patients following three months of oral administration of homeopathic dilutions of growth factors compared to administration of placebo. FIGS. 8A and C show the absolute changes. FIGS. 8B and D show percentage changes. 
     FIGS. 9A and B show electrical conductance values for HIV-positive patients prior to treatment with either homeopathic dilutions of growth factors or placebo. FIGS. 9C and D show five measurements of electrical conductance at four key skin conductance points, associated with the spleen, thymus, nerves and brain in HIV-positive patients administered either homeopathic dilutions of growth factors or placebo, respectively. The measurements were taken during the course of a three month clinical study. 
     FIG. 10 shows the change in platelet count over time in an HIV-positive patient with thrombocytopenia both before and during treatment with homeopathic dilutions of growth factors. 
     FIGS. 11A and B show the change in peripheral blood lymphocyte counts for two HIV-positive patients following treatment with radio frequency signals corresponding to homeopathic dilutions of growth factors. Neither of these patients were taking any conventional therapeutics. Both were taking natural medicines. 
     FIG. 12 shows the change in peripheral blood lymphocyte counts over time for a control HIV-positive patient who was not taking any conventional medicine, only natural medicines. This patient did not receive any radio frequency signals corresponding to homeopathic dilutions of growth factors. 
     FIG. 13 shows the change in total T lymphocyte cells, CD8 and CD4 counts for an HIV-positive patient prior to and following administration of radio frequency signals corresponding to homeopathic dilutions of growth factors. 
     FIG. 14 shows the mean values of electrical conductances for fifteen patients with chronic EBV infection before treatment. 
     FIG. 15 shows the electrical conductances of eleven EBV patients after treatment with homeopathic growth factor signals and naturopathic supplements. 
     FIG. 16 shows the electrical conductances for two cancer patients prior to treatment with the LISTEN system. 
     FIG. 17 shows the change in white blood cell count in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia both before and during treatment with radio frequency signals corresponding to homeopathic dilutions of growth factors and homeopathic liquid dilutions of growth factors. 
     FIG. 18 shows the electrical conductances for two patients with insulin dependent diabetes prior to treatment with the LISTEN system. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The homeopathic dilutions of the present invention typically comprise between 1×10 -6  and 1×10 -100 ,000 molar dilutions of growth factor in a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent. The preferred homeopathic diluent is 100% grain alcohol. However, other diluents are known in the art and may be employed in the present invention to increase solubility and stability of lyophilized growth factors. The homeopathic dilutions are preferably administered orally, but may also be injected into acupuncture or skin conductance points, or administered intravenously. In a preferred embodiment, homeopathic dilutions of growth factors are administered by means of liquids or tablets which retain the memory of the homeopathic dilution. The tablets are made from a suitable organic material, such as lactose (Botanical Labs., Bellingham, Wash.) by methods well known in homeopathy (see, for example, the United States Homeopathic Pharmacopeia). Alternative methods of administration may also be used, such as topical application. Example 1 describes the preliminary results of a double-blind placebo controlled clinical study evaluating the effects of administration of homeopathic dilutions of growth factors on lymphocyte counts in HIV patients using liquid dilutions. 
     Radio frequency signals corresponding to homeopathic dilutions of growth factors may be administered as illustrated by Examples 2-8, in which Example 2 describes a one time evaluation of homeopathic growth factor signals on HIV-positive patients; Example 3 demonstrates the effect of repeated administrations of homeopathic growth factor signals on two HIV-positive patients compared to a control patient who was not treated with radio frequency signals corresponding to homeopathic dilutions of growth factors; Example 4 shows a four-year longitudinal study of an HIV-positive patient treated with homeopathic growth factor signals; Example 5 describes the effects of administration of homeopathic growth factor signals on patients with Epstein-Barr viral infections (EBV); Example 6 describes the treatment of two cancer patients with signals corresponding to homeopathic growth factors; Example 7 demonstrates the effects of administration of homeopathic growth factor signals to a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia; and Example 8 demonstrates the effects of administration of homeopathic growth factor signals to two diabetic patients. 
     In Examples 2-8 patients were treated using the Life Information System TEN (LISTEN) (BioSource, Inc., Orem, Utah) which determines skin resistance or electrical conductance. The basic tenet behind the LISTEN system is that the points on the body normally referred to as &#34;acupuncture points&#34; have an optimal electrical resistance (100,000 ohms) in healthy subjects which changes during illness. Each acupuncture point is associated with a specific meridian, or line of electrical conductance, which in turn is associated with a particular organ or system of the body (Voll, R. 1977 Topographic positions of the measurement points in electro-acupuncture. 1st English edition, H. Schuldt translator, Medizinish Literarische Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, C. Beckers Buchdruckerei GmbH &amp; Co. KG, M. Sc. Uelzen, Germany, vols 1-4+supplement). Furthermore, Voll showed that the electrical activity at each of these points is related to the functional status of the specific organ or system (See, for example, Am. J. Acupuncture 8:97-104, 1980). FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate hand and foot conductance points as defined by Voll. Points coded LY are related to lymph tissue, LU to lung tissue, LA to large intestine, NE to the nervous system, TR to neuroendocrine points, SP to spleen and PA to the pancreas. 
     By determining the electrical resistance at different points on a patient, it is possible to determine which organs are affected by a disease. For example, Bergsmann and Woolley-Hart demonstrated significant differences in electrical conductances between human patients with and without liver disease at acupuncture points corresponding to the liver (Am. J. Acupuncture 1:27-32, 1973). During the 1930-1940s Burr and associates at Yale published more than sixteen papers on bioelectric potential, or skin conductance, and its significance as an indicator of physiological states, such as cancer, in animal models (See, for example, Langman L. and Burr, H. S. (1949) Am. J. Obstet. Gyn. 57:274-281). In addition, a patient can be treated by providing a radio frequency electrical signal which restores electrical conductance at specific points to normal levels. 
     The LISTEN system is a modified computer-based system which, in addition to determining electrical resistance at specific conductance points, can be used to administer radio frequency signals corresponding to specific compounds, such as homeopathic dilutions of growth factors. These signals are generated by digital codes pre-programmed into the system by the manufacturer. The patient to be evaluated holds a source electrode, or brass bar, covered with wet gauze in one hand. The practitioner holds a second brass electrode, or probe, like a pen and touches a specific conductance point in the other hand or in a foot with the probe while firmly supporting the finger or toe. 
     Conductance points are said to be approximately 3 mm in diameter and located in the epidermal layer of the skin, often at the neck of the bones. In order to obtain the most accurate and reproducible measurement, the probe is placed at a 45° angle to the bone. Three tests are conducted per point in order to determine the reliability of the measurement. 
     The LISTEN system determines three significant outputs: the rising slope; the maximal conductance; and the falling slope as shown in FIG. 3. The maximum is defined as the electrical conductance (ohms) produced at a patient&#39;s skin point in response to a maximal 5 volt stimulus. An internal clock calculates the time in seconds for the ohm meter to reach maximal conductance, and then during a constant one second period records the maximum and minimum conductance. The rising slope equals the maximum conductance divided by the seconds of time to reach maximum. The falling slope equals the maximum minus the minimum divided by seconds of time (in this case 1 second). Optimal resistance at an acupuncture skin point is 100,000 ohms (Zong-xiang 1981 Am. J. Acupuncture 9:203-216), scaled on this Y-axis at a value of 50 arbitrary units. Conductances in the range of 48-54 units at all skin conductance points on the hands and feet are thus indicative of optimal human vitality or state of health. Calibration of the LISTEN device with a resistor occurs every six months so that 50 units=100,000 ohms with 1% precision. Preliminary studies on 28 points in 15 `healthy` individuals determined that the mean maximum conductance was 50.3±0.58 units (SEM) with a rise of 20.1±0.57 units/sec. 
     The general protocol followed in Examples 2-8 is outlined below. Baseline conductance measurements were obtained on the right side plus one left side point for the spleen meridian in order to discover which points varied in their maximum and minimum from the optimal range of 48-54 and which points varied in rise from 14±0.3 and fall from 1.25±0.3. The areas in the body most out of balance were thus determined. The point with the highest abnormal reading or the highest point in the area with the greatest numbers of imbalanced energy was selected. The Specific Listings category of the LISTEN system was blind scanned in order to determine which growth factor was most likely to balance the specific point in terms of maximum-minimum readings and rise and fall readings. A radio frequency signal corresponding to the selected growth factor was then administered to the patient for a period of one second to determine if it alone would balance the electrical conductance at the chosen point. All available growth factor signals were tested in this manner until it was determined which growth factor or combination of growth factors balanced all the points. If chronically low points could not be brought back into the normal range, a growth factor signal was selected which brought the conductance reading as close to normal as possible. In the following examples, all points were brought back into the normal range. 
     Some patients in Table VI were then challenged with radio frequency signals corresponding to a variety of viruses. Each virus signal was tested for its ability to raise the patient&#39;s normal reading. Readings above 75 were considered to be a positive test. A signal corresponding to both the selected growth factor and the virus that &#34;stressed&#34; the normal point was subsequently administered to determine whether the selected growth factor could balance the electrical conductance under &#34;stress&#34; conditions. 
     The LISTEN system may be employed to determine whether a therapeutic agent would be effective in returning one or more specific organs or tissues of the body to optimal vitality by administering a signal corresponding to the therapeutic agent to the skin conductance point related to that organ or tissue and determining whether the signal returns the conductance at that point to the optimal level. The LISTEN system can thus be used to screen multiple therapeutic agents for efficacy in treating a specific disorder. 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     Twenty-one HIV-positive patients were enrolled in a double-blind placebo controlled study to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of oral administration of homeopathic dilutions of growth factors in raising lymphocyte counts in HIV seropositive (HIV+) patients. In order to qualify for the study, patients had to be over 18 years of age, have CD4 counts in the range of 180-550 cells/mm 3 , fall within CDC classifications A1, A2, B1, B2, B3 and C2, and not be receiving any conventional HIV therapy, such as recombinant soluble CD4, nucleoside or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, TAT antagonists, antisense oligonucleotides, ribozyme therapy, transdominant proteins, protease inhibitors, glucosidase inhibitors, adoptive immunotherapy or ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors, either during or three weeks prior to the commencement of the study. The patients were randomly assigned to either a placebo group or a treatment group, with 11 patients being enrolled in the treatment group and 10 in the placebo group. 
     Homeopathic dilutions of insulin-like growth factor (IGF 1 ), transforming growth factor (TGFβ1), BB-platelet-derived growth factor (BB-PDGF) and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) were prepared as follows. IGF 1 , TGFβ1, and BB-PDGF (all from Genzyme, Boston, Mass.) were diluted to a 10 -4  concentration, equivalent to a homeopathic potency of 3C in either 1M acetic acid or 0.10% trifluoroacetic acid and 30% acetonitrile which was then evaporated off. GM-CSF (tradename Leukine, Immunex Corp., Seattle, Wash.) was diluted to a 10 -4  concentration in sterile water. Serial dilutions of 1:100 were made according to the protocol described in the United States Homeopathic Pharmacopeia to provide potencies of 30C (10 -60 ) for BB-PDGF and TGFβ1, 200C (10 -400 ) for GM-CSF, and 1M (10 -2 ,000) for IGF 1 , BB-PDGF, and TGFβ1, including 0.5% bovine serum albumin (BSA) for stability. The final dilutions were prepared in a 20% glycerine base solution in water without alcohol. 
     Patients in the treatment group were orally administered 10 drops each of BB-PDGF (both 30C and 1M dilutions), TGFβ1 (both 30C and 1M dilutions), IGF 1  (1M dilution) and GM-CSF (200C dilution) three times per day. All growth factor dilutions were administered at the same time. The dilutions of each growth factor were contained in a separate bottle, thus four bottles of homeopathic dilutions of growth factors or four bottles of placebo were given to each participant. Patients in the control group were administered dilutions of 20% glycerine alone, which tasted and appeared to be the same substance but contained no growth factor dilutions. 
     FIG. 4A shows the CD4 lymphocyte counts during three months of oral administration of homeopathic dilutions of growth factors compared to placebo treatment. The data show that CD4 lymphocyte counts in patients receiving homeopathic dilutions of growth factors remained stable or increased, while patients receiving placebo continued to lose CD4 lymphocyte counts. CD4 cells are generally associated with helper T lymphocyte cells. 
     The two groups started with approximately the same CD4 lymphocyte counts. Specifically, the treatment group had initial CD4 counts of 338±41 cells/mm 3  and the placebo group had initial CD4 counts of 335±39 cells/mm 3 . Following two months of treatment, the CD4 lymphocyte counts for the two groups were significantly different, with the treatment group having a count of 340±32 cells/mm 3  and the placebo group having a CD4 count of 244±36 cells/mm 3 . This represents a statistically significant difference of P&lt;0.05 between the two groups after two months of treatment. After three months the treatment group had a CD4 lymphocyte count of 354±44 compared to the placebo group CD4 lymphocyte count of 257±36 cells. The fall in CD4 lymphocyte counts in the placebo group is similar to that found in other studies on the treatment of HIV+patients using only natural medicine without growth factors. 
     As shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, no statistically significant changes were observed in CD8 and CD2 lymphocyte counts between the placebo and treatment group at the end of the three month study. CD8 cells are associated with suppressor T lymphocyte function and CD2 cells represent total T lymphocytes. 
     Data on the RNA count of viral HIV load for the study participants (treatment group n=10, placebo group n=10) at the end of the three month study is presented as a scattergram in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, six patients in the treatment group had less than 50,000 HIV RNA copies/ml with a mean of 14,530±2,896 copies/ml compared to one patient with 46,360 copies/ml in the placebo group. This represents a three fold lower viral load in persons administered homeopathic dilutions of growth factor compared to placebo (P&lt;0.002). 
     The difference in erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) between the treatment and placebo groups was statistically significant at the end of the three month study as shown in FIG. 6. Both groups started with similar ESR values (24±6.8 mm/hr for the treatment groups compared to 19.6±4.9 mm/hr for the placebo group). Following three months of oral administration of homeopathic dilutions of growth factors, the ESR values for the treatment group had decreased to 15.5±4.03 mm/hr a decrease of 32.1±15.6%. In contrast, the placebo group ESR values increased to 22.1±5.7 mm/hr, an increase of 4.2±8.44% (P&lt;0.005). 
     ESR values represent non-specific measures of inflammation and/or infection. ESR values rise steadily as HIV disease progresses. Research has shown that ESR values may be a useful addition to the CD4 count and beta 2-microglobulin in assessing the stage of HIV disease (Schwartlardes, B. et al. 1993 AIDS 7:813-21). Increased ESR values during disease progression in HIV-positive patients have been reported in a group of patients taking natural medicines (Standish, L. et al. 1992 J. Naturopathic Medicine 3:42-64). The difference in ESR values seen between the treatment and placebo groups in the present study is consistent with HIV-related disease progression in the placebo group. The treatment group continued to improve in health and lower their HIV-related symptoms. The decrease in ESR values demonstrates that homeopathic dilutions of growth factors positively and specifically affect lymphocytes and lower the chronic inflammatory reactions caused by HIV infection, or other chronic viral infections. There were no significant changes in hemoglobin or hematocrit in either group during the three month clinical study. 
     FIG. 7 shows the average weight change in patients in the treatment group versus those in the placebo group during the three month study. There was a weight gain of 4.88±1.92 (SEM) pounds in the treatment group compared to a loss of 3.95±1.43 pounds in the placebo group. Weight gain in the treatment group was statistically significant compared to the weight loss in the placebo group (P&lt;0.001). Weight gain may be associated with using homeopathic dilutions of insulin-like growth factor which, in pharmacological doses, is known to participate in anabolic processes in the body. 
     FIGS. 8A-D show the change in serum calcium and phosphorus levels following three months of oral administration of homeopathic dilutions of growth factors compared to administration of placebo. Calcium is a significant mineral in the body and participates in numerous metabolic functions. Phosphorus contributes to formation and utilization of ATP, phosphorylated metabolic intermediates and nucleic acids. In the form of phosphilpids and inositol polyphosphates, it plays critical roles in the signal transduction mechanisms after growth factor stimulation. Lymphocytes from HIV-infected individuals show aberrant inositol polyphosphate metabolism which reverses after AZT therapy (Nye et al. 1990). Both calcium and phosphorus are poorly absorbed in some HIV-positive persons. 
     All participants were within the normal ranges for serum calcium at entry into the study with a mean value of 8.87±0.074 mg/dl. However, this is lower than a cohort of an equal number of age/sex matched non-HIV +  patients whose serum calcium levels were 9.2±0.085 mg/dl. Because calcium plays a critical role in signal transduction processes elicited by growth factors and because study participants were on the low side of normal, all participants were asked to add 1000 milligrams of calcium into their diet, if they were not using it already, to maximize the potential action of the high dilution growth facts. Calcium citrate or calcium chelated to several amino acids and acidic moleties were recommended for maximal absorption. During the clinical study, the treatment group started with serum calcium values of 8.8±0.10 mg/dl and increased their serum calcium levels to 9.5±0.12 mg/dl which represents a 7.14±1.2% increase. In contrast, the placebo group entered the study with serum calcium values of 8.96±0.13 mg/dl and ended the study with values of 9.04±0.07 mg/dl, which is a 2.05±1.2% increase. The difference in serum calcium levels between the two groups was statistically significant (P&lt;0.003). The increase in calcium is consistent with increased body weight seen in the treatment group compared to the placebo group and may reflect greater absorption from the intestines. 
     Similarly, during the three-month double blind study, persons treated with combinations of homeopathic dilutions of growth factors increased serum phosphorus levels by 8.11±3.27% while phosphorus levels in the placebo group decreased by 10.39±4.99%. 
     There was no evidence that oral administration of homeopathic dilutions of growth factors had toxic effects on any of the participants. None of the subjects in the treatment group had high liver enzyme function tests (LFT), SGPT (alanine aminotransferase), SGOT (aspartate aminotransferase), GGPT (gamma glutamyltranspeptidase) at baseline or after any of the months of treatment. Three patients in the placebo group, however, had high LFT&#39;s at baseline and four patients in the placebo group had high LFT&#39;after the three month clinical study. Thus, the randomization process did not equally distribute persons with poor liver function. 
     The differences in liver function between placebo and treatment patients at baseline raises the possibility that differences in CD4 lymphocyte counts between the groups could have been due to differences in health at baseline and not due to administration of homeopathic dilutions of growth factors. In order to address this possibility, changes in CD4 lymphocyte counts were correlated with LFT at baseline to determine whether patients who had abnormal LFT were also the patients who lost the most CD4 cells during the study. Table I indicates no obvious correlation between high liver enzymes and loss of CD4 cells in the three people taking placebo. 
     
                       TABLE I                                                     
______________________________________                                    
         Patient #5  Patient #7  Patient #17                              
Months   CD4 cells/mm.sup.3                                               
                     CD4 cells/mm.sup.3                                   
                                 CD4 cells/mm.sup.3                       
______________________________________                                    
0        541         302         207                                      
1        241         373         131                                      
2        264         350         122                                      
3        501         329         137                                      
Total Change                                                              
         -40         +27         -70                                      
in CD4 cells                                                              
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     During the study there were no opportunistic infections in the treatment group and two in the placebo group; pneumocystis carini pneumonia and severe autoimmune demyelinating polyneuropathy and myelopathy. 
     LISTEN measurements of electrical conductance at key skin points associated with organs known to be involved in HIV also indicate significant differences between the treatment and placebo groups during the three month clinical study. 
     Prior to commencement of treatment, the LISTEN system was employed to determine electrical conductance for each patient at 112 skin conductance points. Each conductance point correlates to specific organs and tissues of the body according to the Electroacupuncture According to Voll (EAV) system (see, for example, Am. J. Acupuncture 8:97-104, 1980). The optimal range for conductance (50.78 relative units±3.05 Std. Der.) was identified from measurements on 34 non-viral infected &#34;healthy&#34; controls. In the HIV-positive patients, electrical conductances at 16 of the skin points were found to be outside the normal range, with 13 of the points being above optimal, 1 being below optimal, and 2 falling at the lowest end of optimal, as shown in FIG. 9A and B. These points, which correlate with the lymphatic system, lungs, cell metabolism, spleen, nerves, the neuroendocrine organs (including thymus-thyroid) and the liver are known to be key areas directly disrupted by HIV invention. 
     We continued to evaluate electrical conductance at four key areas (spleen, thymus, nerve and brain) not easily measurable by conventional means to evaluate over time the progress of these patients. Electrical conductances at these four key skin points were measured five times over the course of the three-month clinical study (every three weeks). As shown in FIGS. 9C and D measurements of spleen 1 electrical conductance were low in both groups at the onset of the study. The treatment group remained closer to the optimal range of electrical conductance throughout the study than did the placebo group. After six weeks, spleen 1 measurements were in the optimal range for the treatment group, while the placebo group&#39;s conductances peaked but did not reach optimal values. Both groups fell below their entry conductance measurements at the end of the study. The thymus, nerves and brain conductances were initially higher in the treatment group and improved, entering the optimal range three out of five times during the study. In contrast, the placebo group&#39;s conductances for thymus, nerves and brain remained out of the optimal range three out of five times. These data demonstrate the LISTEN&#39;s ability to prognostically and non-invasively determine if a given therapeutic, such as homeopathic dilutions of growth factors, is able to improve the health status of viral infected patients and acts upon the target tissues infected by the virus. 
     FIG. 10 shows a change in platelet counts over a three-year period for an HIV-positive patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura. Prior to the commencement of treatment, the patient had a CD4 count of 6 cells/mm 3 . At the beginning of the timeline shown in FIG. 9, the patient was treated with prednisone for three months. During the first two weeks of prednisone treatment, the platelet counts increased from 6,000 to 17,000 cells/μl, and then dropped to 2,000-3,000 and stayed at that level for the next two years. Following oral administration of the same homeopathic dilutions of growth factors used in the three-month clinical study described above, the platelet count increased to 13,000. Immediately prior to treatment with homeopathic dilutions of growth factors, the patient was treated with shark liver oil and alkylglycerols. No intervention other than prednisone and homeopathic dilutions of growth factors effected the platelet count. 
     EXAMPLE 2 
     Using the protocol outlined above, eleven HIV positive patients with CD4 counts in the range 67-570 cells/mm 3  were evaluated with the LISTEN system to determine whether electrical conductances could be balanced with growth factor signals. Electrical conductance was measured at points known to be weak in HIV and AIDS patients, including points corresponding to the spleen (SPCL), spleen lymphocytes homing to the upper body (SP1L), spleen lymphocytes homing to the lower body and gastrointestinal tract (SP2L), spleen blood filtering function (SP3L), environmentally related allergies (AL1R), general allergies (ALCR), lymph tissue of lungs (LY4R), lymph nodes (LY1R), general lymph function (LYCR), lymph drainage of tonsils/throat (LY1aR) and connective tissue (FICR). 
     Signals corresponding to growth factors at potencies of 6C (1:100 diluted six times=10 -12 ), 30C (1:100), diluted thirty times=10 -60  ), 200C (1:100 diluted 200 times=10 -400 ), 1000C (1:100 diluted 1000 times=10 -2000 ), also termed &#34;1M&#34;, were administered. 
     Table II, shows the results of a preliminary study to test which signals corresponding to different potencies growth factors would balance electrical conductances (i.e., electrical conductance achieved optimal range) in eleven HIV-positive patients with CD4 counts ranging from 66 to 400 cells/mm 3 . 
     
                       TABLE II                                                    
______________________________________                                    
            Appeared                                                      
            No. of People                                                 
                     6C    30C    200C 1000C                              
______________________________________                                    
Nerve Growth Factor                                                       
              7/11       3     2    1    4                                
(NGF)                                                                     
Insulin-like Growth                                                       
              10/11      6     4    6    7                                
Factor-1 (IGF.sub.1)                                                      
Acidic Fibroblast                                                         
              6/11       2     3    1    5                                
Growth Factor (αFGF)                                                
Basic Fibroblast Growth                                                   
              6/11       2     2    5    4                                
Factor (βFGF)                                                        
BB Platelet-derived                                                       
              9/11       3     5    1    5                                
Growth Factor                                                             
(BB-PDGF)                                                                 
AA Platelet-derived                                                       
              8/11       3     4    3    2                                
Growth Factor                                                             
(AA-PDGF)                                                                 
AB Platelet-derived                                                       
              7/11       3     5    3    4                                
Growth Factor                                                             
(AB-PDGF)                                                                 
Transforming Growth                                                       
              5/11       2     2    4    3                                
Factor alpha (TGFα)                                                 
Epidermal Growth                                                          
              5/11       0     2    2    3                                
Factor (EGF)                                                              
Stem Cell Factor (SCF)                                                    
              5/11       3     1    3    2                                
Transforming Growth                                                       
              6/11       3     3    1    6                                
Factor-beta 1 (TGFβ1)                                                
Transforming Growth                                                       
              4/11       1     2    2    1                                
Factor-beta 2 (TGFβ2)                                                
Granulocyte-Macro-                                                        
              7/11       2     0    4    3                                
phage Colony Stimu-                                                       
lating Factor (GM-CSF)                                                    
Tumor Necrosis Factor                                                     
              7/11       4     2    4    4                                
alpha (TNFα)                                                        
Macrophage Colony                                                         
              7/11       2     2    2    4                                
Stimulating Factor                                                        
(M-CSF)                                                                   
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     In ten of the eleven patients, administration of insulin-like growth factor (IGF 1 ) signal brought the electrical conductance back into the normal range, with some patients responding to more than one dilution. BB Platelet-derived growth factor (BB-PDGF) and AA-platelet-derived growth factor (AA-PDGF) were also highly effective in returning electrical conductance measurements to normal. Signals corresponding to higher dilutions of growth factors appeared to be more effective in restoring the electrical conductance to normal values. 
     Tables III and IV show which radio frequency signals corresponding to homeopathic dilutions of growth factors balanced electrical conductance at spleen acupuncture points and lymphatic skin conductance points (labelled YES) and which did not balance electrical conductance (labelled NO) for five HIV-positive patients with CD4 counts of 225-395 cells/mm 3  (Table III) and five HIV-positive patients with CD4 counts of 66-170 cells/mm 3   
     
                       TABLE III                                                   
______________________________________                                    
YES        YES    YES    YES  NO   NO   NO   NO                           
6c         30c    200c   1M   6c   30c  200c 1M                           
______________________________________                                    
PDGF.sub.BB                                                               
        1      5      3    4    3    0    2    1                          
GM-CSF  3      0      4    5    1    4    1    2                          
TGF.sub.B1                                                                
        1      4      2    3    3    1    4    1                          
IGF.sub.1                                                                 
        2      2      3    4    2    3    1    2                          
Insulin 1      4      4    3    3    1    1    2                          
TNF.sub.a                                                                 
        1      3      5    5    3    3    0    0                          
PDGF.sub.AA                                                               
        1      5      3    3    3    0    2    2                          
PDGF.sub.AB                                                               
        1      4      1    4    3    1    4    2                          
TGF.sub.a                                                                 
        1      2      3    2    3    3    2    1                          
TGF.sub.B2                                                                
        2      1      2    3    2    3    3    2                          
SCF     2      1      3    4    2    3    2    1                          
MCSF    2      2      3    0    2    2    3    5                          
EGF     2      3      3    4    2    2    2    1                          
NGF     2      4      2    3    3    1    3    2                          
aFGF    2      2      1    4    3    3    4    2                          
bFGF    2      3      3    5    2    1    2    0                          
totals  26     45     43   66   40   31   31   25                         
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     
                       TABLE IV                                                    
______________________________________                                    
YES        YES    YES    YES  NO   NO   NO   NO                           
6c         30c    200c   1M   6c   30c  200c 1M                           
______________________________________                                    
PDGF.sub.BB                                                               
        2      2      0    0    1    2    5    5                          
GM-CSF  0      0      2    3    1    3    3    2                          
TGF.sub.B1                                                                
        2      2      0    5    1    2    5    4                          
IGF1    3      2      2    3    0    2    3    2                          
Insulin 2      1      2    2    1    3    3    2                          
TNF.sub.a                                                                 
        2      2      3    5    1    2    2    0                          
PDGF.sub.AA                                                               
        3      1      1    0    0    3    4    5                          
PDGF.sub.AB                                                               
        2      2      1    1    1    2    4    4                          
TGF.sub.a                                                                 
        3      1      2    0    0    3    4    5                          
TGF.sub.B2                                                                
        2      2      1    1    1    2    4    4                          
SCF     2      2      2    3    1    2    3    1                          
MCSF    1      0      1    4    2    5    4    1                          
EGF     1      2      0    0    2    2    5    5                          
NGF     3      1      1    1    1    3    4    4                          
aFGF    1      1      0    2    2    3    5    3                          
bFGF    0      1      2    2    3    3    3    3                          
totals  31     22     20   32   18   42   61   50                         
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     The group with the higher CD cell counts was overall more responsive to signals of growth factors, responding positively 180 times to radio frequency signals corresponding to homeopathic dilutions of growth factors, compared to only 105 times in the group with lower CD4 cells counts. There was almost an inverse relationship between the higer and lower CD4 cell count groups in terms of YES and NO responses to the growth factors tested in this study. The group with CD4 cell counts above 225 cells/rem 3  primarily responded YES to PDGF at 10 -60  and 10 -2000 , GM-CSF at 10 -400  and 10 -2000 , TGF B  1 at 10 -60 , and IGF 1  at 10 -2000 , With positive responses to these growth factors, in general, a total of 46 times and negative responses only 31 times. In contrast, patients with CD4 cell counts of 170 cells/mm3 or lower primarily responded NO 41 times and responded YES only 30 times. 
     In a separate study, an asymptomatic HIV-positive patient was given a simultaneous radio frequency signal challenge of HIV using the LISTEN system while scanning dilutions specifically for βFGF to determine which dilutions between 6× and 6C might be useful. Signals corresponding to dilutions of 20×, 30×, 200×, 400×, 600×, 800× and 6C were found to bring the electrical conductances back into the optimal range. 
     EXAMPLE 3 
     Two HIV-positive patients were treated with signals for homeopathic dilutions of growth factors using the LISTEN system several times per week for a period of three months using the protocol outlined above. 
     Peripheral blood lymphocyte counts were obtained for both patients at, or shortly after, the commencement of treatment with homeopathic growth factor signals and again at the end of the study. Prior to the commencement of treatment, both patients had a CD4 count of less than 200. Patient 2 was treated with homeopathic growth factor signals alone, while patient 1 was treated with a combination of homeopathic growth factor signals and, in addition, was treated therapeutically with homeopathic medicines and/or some botanicals corresponding to the digital codes from the LISTEN. Neither patient was on anti-retroviral therapy. 
     Signals of homeopathic growth factors corresponding to a combination of dilutions were administered for one second to skin points associated with organs and tissues known to be weak in HIV and AIDS patients, as outlined in Example 2. Growth factors were selected based on their ability to effectively return conductance levels to normal. The number of times that signals corresponding to specific growth factors returned electrical conductance levels to optimal are shown in Table V. 
     
                       TABLE V                                                     
______________________________________                                    
                      NUMBER OF                                           
                      APPEARANCES                                         
                       Patient   Patient                                  
GROWTH FACTORS         One       Two                                      
______________________________________                                    
Nerve Growth Factor (NGF)                                                 
                       14        7                                        
Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF.sub.1)                                  
                       4         8                                        
Acidic Fibroblast Growth Factor (αFGF)                              
                       13        6                                        
Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (βFGF)                                
                       4         0                                        
BB Platelet-derived Growth                                                
Factor (BB-PDGF)       1         8                                        
AA Platelet-derived Growth Factor                                         
(AA-PDGF)              5         0                                        
AB Platelet-derived Growth Factor                                         
(AB-PDGF)              0         0                                        
Transforming Growth Factor alpha (TGFα)                             
                       10        0                                        
Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)                                             
                       3         0                                        
Stem Cell Factor (SCF) 5         0                                        
Transforming Growth Factor-beta 1                                         
(TGFβ1)           5         0                                        
Transforming Growth Factor-beta 2                                         
(TGFβ2)           0         2                                        
Granulocyte/Macrophage-Colony                                             
Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF)                                               
                       0         2                                        
Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFα)                                  
                       0         0                                        
Macrophage-Colony Stimulating Factor                                      
                       0         0                                        
(M-CSF)                                                                   
______________________________________                                    
 
    
     Nerve growth factor (NGF), acidic fibroblast growth factor (αFGF) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGFα) were most effective in bringing the electrical conductance measurements back into the normal range. 
     Prior to being treated with homeopathic growth factor signals, patient 2 had been treated with a variety of different botanicals. For the four-month period immediately prior to the commencement of homeopathic growth factor treatment, patient 2 was treated with the botanical bitter melon (called momordica) which resulted in increases in CD8, CD3, CD2 and CD19 counts of more than 50 percent. Bitter melon (momordica) was then discontinued. As shown in FIG. 11A, administration of signals corresponding to homeopathic growth factors resulted in a slight increase in patient 2&#39;s peripheral blood lymphocyte counts without any other medical treatment. The average loss of CD4 cells in HIV-positive patients is 20% of the cells per year. 
     For patient 1, administration of signals corresponding to homeopathic dilutions of growth factors increased the CD4 count by 76%, while the CD8, CD2 and CD3 counts increased by 38%, as shown in FIG. 11B. 
     These results are in marked contrast to the typical course of progression for HIV and AIDS in which the lymphocyte count continues to drop as the disease progresses. FIG. 12 shows the decrease in peripheral blood lymphocyte counts over time for a typical HIV-positive patient. This patient did not receive any homeopathic growth factor treatment or conventional HIV therapy, but did receive botanical supplements. 
     EXAMPLE 4 
     FIG. 13 shows the change in total T lymphocyte cell, CD8 and CD4 counts for an HIV-positive patient over a period of four years. This patient was infected with HIV in 1982. In September 1992 (month 21) the CD4 cell count plummeted to 106 cells/mm 3 . The average annual decrease in CD4 cells in this range is reported to be 32 cells/mm 3  when taking anti-retroviral therapeutics (Dept. of Epidemiology, University of Washington). However, after three months of daily treatments with radio frequency signals corresponding to homeopathic dilutions of growth factors, the CD4 cells increased by 138 cells/mm 3  and by month 33, in September 1993, the CD4 cell count was 225 cells/mm, 199 cells/mm 3  higher than the previous year. Each time the patient received the growth factor radio frequency signals, lymphocyte counts increased. When the patient did not receive the growth factor signals, the CD4 lymphocyte counts dropped, despite the fact that the patient was continually receiving weekly acupuncture treatments. 
     For example, between months 30 and 33 (june 1993 and September 1993) the patient regularly balanced electrical conductance points (four office visits, no growth factor signals administered). The CD8 and total T lymphocyte cell counts increased 300-350 cells/mm 3 , but the CD4 cells dropped 17 cells/mm 3 . The CD4 cells continued to drop until growth factor signals were given regularly (months 38 to 42; February to June 1994). During this time the patient had seven office visits and during four of them (2 in March, 1 in April and 1 in May) was treated with growth factor signals for NGF, AB-PDGF, IGF 1 , βFGF, and TGFα. During this five month period the patient&#39;s CD4 count rose 30 cells/mm 3 , from 180 cells/mm 3  to 210 cells/mm 3 . The CD8 and total T lymphocyte counts also rose 430-475 cells/mm 3 . CD8 cell counts above 500 cells/mm 3  correlate with low viral replication and perhaps longer survival due to their secretion of growth factors yet to be characterized (1994 International Conference on AIDS). 
     There was only one time period (months 33-38; September 1993 to February 1994) that a single growth factor signal, IGF 1 , was given, and CD4, CD8 and total T lymphocyte cell counts dropped 45 cells, 475 cells and 700 cells, respectively. This may be due to only giving one growth factor signal, or more probably to the death of this patient&#39;s father, and extensive transcontinental travel and exhaustion during the terminal stages of the father&#39;s illness. Grief and loss are well known stress factors that depress immune function. This patient did not receive any conventional drug treatments. 
     EXAMPLE 5 
     Electrical conductances of fifteen Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) patients were measured at acupuncture points for the immune system using the LISTEN system. The results are shown in FIG. 14. Higher than normal conductances were found at points corresponding to: lymph drainage of tonsils/throat (LY1aR) lymph tissue of lungs (LY4R); connective tissue (FICR); spleen lymphocytes homing to the lower body and gastrointestinal tract (SP2L); and spleen B lymphocytes and blood purification duties of spleen (SP3L). These results coincide with the clinical symptoms of patients with chronic EBV infection. 
     Eleven of the fifteen patients were subsequently treated for 3-9 months with a combination of homeopathic growth factor signals and botanicals corresponding to the LISTEN digital codes. Each patient was treated once per month using the previously outlined protocol. As shown in FIG. 15, significant improvement in electrical conductances occurred. Fewer clinical symptoms were also observed and reported by the patients. For example, the patients had less upper respiratory distress, less sore throats, more energy, fewer complaints regarding tendonitis, and somewhat improved digestion. These are all typical complaints of EBV patients. 
     Five of these patients were tested for the ability of signals corresponding to different dilutions of growth factors to normalize electrical conductances during one appointment. The results are shown in Table VI. 
     
                       TABLE VI                                                    
______________________________________                                    
                Intake                                                    
                Titer    Growth                                           
Patient                                                                   
      EBV Titers                                                          
                Levels   Factor     Dilution                              
______________________________________                                    
#1    VCA IgG   892      AA PDGF    6C                                    
#2    VCA IgG   640      AA PDGF    800x, 30C                             
      EA         80      BB PDGF    800x, 6C                              
      EBNA      pos      AB PDGF    800x                                  
                         TGFβ1 800x                                  
                         TGFβ2 800x                                  
                         TGFα 800x                                  
                         αFGF 6C                                    
                         IGF1       800x, 6C                              
                                    200C, 1000C                           
#3    VCA IgG   640      Stem Cell  30C                                   
                         Factor                                           
      EA         80                                                       
      EBNA      neg                                                       
#4    VCA IgG   160      AA PDGF    6C                                    
      EA         80                                                       
      EBNA      pos                                                       
#5    VCA IgG   1280     IGF1       6C, 12C,                              
                                    1000C                                 
      EA        neg      Insulin    30C                                   
      EBNA       40      TGFβ1 600x, 6C,                             
                                    1000C                                 
                         βFGF  6C, 1000C                             
                         TGFα 30C, 1000C                            
                         NGF        6C                                    
                         Growth Hormone                                   
                                    1000C                                 
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     As outlined above, a dilution of 6C is equal to 1:100 diluted six times (10 -12  M). A dilution of 800× is equal to 1:10 diluted 800 times. 
     Prior to treatment, each of the five patients was tested for the presence of the following EBV titers: viral capsid antigen (VCA), early antigen (EA), and Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA), as shown in Table III. In non-EBV infected subjects these titers are either negative or close to zero. Patient 1 was symptomatic with sore throat, sinus drainage and swollen glands at time of electrical conductance testing. Patients 2 and 5 were similar in that both had gall bladder surgery, hysterectomies, fibromyalgia, and were over forty and over-weight. Patient 2 also had chronic HPV and HSV infection. Patient 5&#39;s fasting blood sugar readings were indicative of mature onset of non-insulin dependent diabetes. Patient 3 was additionally diagnosed as having multiple sclerosis. Patient 4 was additionally diagnosed as having rheumatoid arthritis. 
     All available growth factor signals were tested for patients 1 and 3-5. Based on the earlier HIV data, potentially useful growth factors were tested on patient 2 to determine effective dilutions, as shown in Table VI. 
     Patient 5 was balanced on each of seven individual appointments using only growth factors. The growth factors were able to bring the electrical conductances into the normal range of 45-55 at every acupuncture point (over 30 points), often without additional supplementation with naturopathic medicines. 
     As described earlier all five patients demonstrated improved clinical symptoms. The growth factors found to be effective in treating these EBV patients included PDGF, TGFβ, αFGF, IGF1, NGF, insulin, growth hormone, and stem cell factor. 
     EXAMPLE 6 
     Two cancer patients were administered signals corresponding to homeopathic dilutions of growth factors using the standard LISTEN protocol. Patient 1 had chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), which is a stem cell disease in which stem cells fail to respond to physiologic feedback signals that regulate growth and differentiation of hematopoietic precursors. This patient had just begun treatment with alpha-interferon several hours before testing with the LISTEN system. Patient 2 had an adenocarcinoma (renal cell carcinoma) removed from her left side approximately 18 months prior to this study, and had metastases to the lung, skull and possibly to the bones and liver at the commencement of this study. 
     As shown in FIG. 16, these two patients had significantly different electrical conductances. Both patients&#39; electrical conductances were normalized by administration of specific homeopathic growth factor signals and naturopathic supplements. For patient 1, signals corresponding to combined dilutions of IGF1 were found to bring the conductances back into the normal range. For patient 2, signals corresponding to 30×, 100C and 1000C dilutions of NGF, an 8× dilution of AA PDGF, and 6C and 30C dilutions of TGFβ1 were found to be effective. The naturopathic supplements alone did not balance the electrical conductances. 
     Patient 2, following treatment using the LISTEN system five times per week for one month, no longer tested positive for cancer, using the serum AMAS™ test (Anti-Malignin Antibody in Senun determined with TARGET™ Reagent; Oncolab, Inc., Boston, Mass.; Abrams, M. B. et al. 1994 Cancer Detection and Prevention 18:65-78). In this test, the higher the component result number, the more indicative the result is of cancer. The AMAS™ normal range for S-TAG is 0-399; for F-TAG 0-299; and for net-TAG 0-99. The specific results of the AMAS™test for this patient after one month of treatment were as follows: S-TAG 184 μg/ml (normal); F-TAG 79 μg/ml (normal); and net-TAG 105 μg/ml (borderline). AMAS™test results continued to improve with continued administration of radio frequency signals corresponding to homeopathic dilutions of growth factors. Two months later, after continued treatment, the results of the AMAS™test were as follows: S-TAG 152 μg/ml (17% decrease); F-TAG 70 μg/ml (11% decrease) and net-TAG 82 μg/ml (now in normal range with a 22% decrease). All component measurements indicated that normal results had been achieved. The results of blood chemistry analyses for Patient 2 before treatment and after one month of treatment with signals corresponding to TGFβ1 are shown in Table VII. 
     
                       TABLE VII                                                   
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Blood Chemistry                                                           
             Before Treatment                                             
                           After Treatment                                
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Chemistry                                                                 
Sodium       139 meg/l     143                                            
Potassium    3.3 meg/l     4.8                                            
Chloride     100 meg/l     108                                            
CO.sub.2     25 meg/l      23                                             
Glucose      173 (high) mg/dl                                             
                           149 (high but                                  
                           closer to normal)                              
Calcium      8.7 mg/dl     9.0                                            
Bun          18.0 mg/dl    18.0                                           
Creatinine   1.2 mg/dl     1.2                                            
Bun/Creat.   15.0          15.1                                           
Uric Acid    5.5 mg/dl     6.2 (high)                                     
Cholesterol  301 (high) mg/dl                                             
                           357 (high)                                     
Triglycerides                                                             
             523 (high)    305 (high but                                  
                           closer to normal)                              
Albumin      4.0 g/dl      4.1                                            
Globulin     2.6 g/dl      2.5                                            
A/G ratio    1.5           1.6                                            
Total Bilirubin                                                           
             0.6 mg/dl     0.4                                            
Direct Bilirubin                                                          
             0.4 mg/dl     0.0                                            
Alkaline Phosphatase                                                      
             62 u/l        108                                            
LDH          136 u/l       150                                            
AST (SGOT)   8 u/l         15                                             
ALT (SGPT)   8 u/l         18                                             
CBC                                                                       
WBC          7 × 1000/ul                                            
                           5.9                                            
RBC          3.93 (Low) mil/ul                                            
                           4.49 (resolved)                                
Hemoglobin   11.7 (Low) g/dl                                              
                           13.6 (resolved)                                
Hematocrit   35.1 (Low) %  41.7 (resolved)                                
MCV          89.3 fl       92.9                                           
MCH          29.8 pg       30.3                                           
MCHC         33.3%         32.6                                           
Neutrophils  55.9%         62.9%                                          
Lymphocytes  34.4%         32.7%                                          
Monocytes    7.4% (monocytosis)                                           
                           2.4% (resolved)                                
Eosinophils  1.4%          1.2%                                           
Basophils    0.9%          0.8%                                           
Platelet count                                                            
             342,000/ul    348,000/ul                                     
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     Prior to treatment, Patient 2 had anemia, as indicated by the hemoglobin, hematocrit and red blood cell count (RBC), and immune stress, indicated by slightly elevated monocyte counts. Following treatment with radio frequency signals corresponding to TGFβ1 for a period of one month, the patient&#39;s anemia and monocytosis had resolved. The patient&#39;s liver enzyme values (SGOT and SGPT) were also greatly improved, as was the alkaline phosphatase level. 
     EXAMPLE 7 
     FIG. 17 shows the change in white blood cell count in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia both before and during treatment first with radio frequency signals corresponding to homeopathic dilutions of growth factors and subsequently with both radio signals in combination with orally administered homeopathic dilutions of growth factors. 
     This patient was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in April 1992. From April 1993 to April 1994 (months -12 to 0 on the time scale) the white blood cell count doubled from 24,700 to 49,000 cells/mm 3 . In April 1994 (months 0 to 7) the patient began receiving radio frequency signals corresponding to growth factors on a weekly basis. During this treatment period, the white blood cell count maintained a relatively low nonprogressive state, as noted by the significantly different regression line during that time versus the general treatment period regression line. The patient initially progressed to higher counts of white blood cells when orally administered 10 -12  M and 10 -24  M dilutions of GM-CSF plus radio frequency signals corresponding to homeopathic dilutions of growth factors. The white blood cell counts were dramatically decreased by introducing homeopathic dilutions of 10 -60  M and 10 -2 ,000 M BB-PDGF plus a homeopathic dilution of HH6V into the protocol. With the addition of 10 -60  M and 10 -2 ,000 M TGFβ to the protocol, the patient&#39;s white blood cell count dropped back down to 41,000 cells/mm 3 . The regression line demonstrates a downward trend. 
     EXAMPLE 8 
     A study was performed using the LISTEN system on two patients with insulin-dependent diabetes. Both patients were between 11 and 12 years of age and were treated within one year of onset of disease. Patient 1 serum-tested positive for Coxsackie B3 virus, which has been implicated through epidemiological studies to be a causative factor in the onset of diabetes. Patient 2 was not tested for Coxsackie B virus. The highly abnormal conductances of these patients shown in FIG. 18 were brought into the normal range by the administration of signals corresponding to naturopathic supplements plus a 6C dilution of insulin. On one occasion, patient 1&#39;s conductance points were completely balanced with signals corresponding to combined dilutions of stem cell factor or vasopressin without the need for additional signals of naturopathic supplements. These corrections in electrical conductance correspond with greater control of blood glucose level. 
     In a separate treatment session, all available signals for homeopathic growth factors were scanned to determine which signal would bring patient 2&#39;s conductances back to the normal range. A signal corresponding to a 600×dilution of βFGF was found to be most effective. 
     Although the present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, changes and modifications can be carried out without departing from the scope of the invention which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.