Tree Bark Prevents Rare Cancer Replication

Category: Cancer

Scientists have discovered that an extract from the South American Hevea tree can prevent replication of a rare, but deadly cancer of the eye.

Retinoblastoma is a cancer of the eye that affects 1 in 15,000 children. It is most often diagnosed before the age of 6. The cancer is treated using a combination of chemotherapy and radiation, both of which carry many side effects.

The cancer is more deadly in developing countries were access to cancer therapies is limited. In these children most will live only 2-4 years after the diagnosis because the cancer quickly invades surrounding tissues including the brain.

Beta-lapachone, the active compound from the Hevea tree, was effective at preventing replication in several other cancers in the lab so scientists decided to test its efficacy against retinoblastoma.

The extract is novel compared to chemotherapy drugs because it seems to target only cancer cells and not healthy cells. This ability to select which cells to exerts its effect on may significantly lower side effects from treatment. The extract targets the unchecked growth of cancer cells and signals cell death in mutated cells, which results in halted growth.

The authors published their findings in the journal Eye. Steps are underway to test the extract in animal models with hopes that human trials may be in the future.

Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on August 23, 2014 11:00 AM