THE MOSS REPORTS

In last week's newsletter I began a discussion of new research that indicates that stem cells may ultimately lie at the root of many kinds of cancer. I conclude that discussion this week.

It has been said, humorously, that no scientific theory gains public acceptance until it has been thoroughly discredited.

For almost a hundred years the ideas of the Scottish embryologist John Beard concerning the origin of cancer have languished in the dusty stack rooms of medical history, spurned by modern oncology in favor of newer theories. But increasingly it is becoming apparent that long before molecular biology was born, Beard may have hit upon a core truth.

While Beard himself would not have been aware of the existence of stem cells, his theory concerning the origins of cancer is remarkably compatible with the concept of stem cells as the source of malignancy.

It is also curiously satisfying, in a way, that it should be an extract of the humble cottage garden plant feverfew that researchers have found to be lethal to the malignant stem cells that cause acute and chronic myelogenous leukemia. The use of botanical extracts in medicine is as old as medicine itself, and it is encouraging to see that their potential is once again being harnessed for the benefit of cancer patients.

For thirty years I have been studying and writing about cancer treatments, both conventional and alternative. The fruit of my long career in this field is The Moss Reports, a comprehensive library of more than two hundred reports on specific cancer diagnoses. For cancer patients, a Moss Report represents an invaluable guide and handbook for the journey ahead.

If you would like to order a Moss Report for yourself or someone you love, you can do so from our website, www.cancerdecisions.com, or by calling Diane at 1-800-980-1234 (814-238-3367 from outside the US).

We look forward to helping you.

FEVERFEW AND CANCER, PART II

The latest University of Rochester findings on feverfew, while interesting from the point of view of pharmacology, are even more important in terms of basic science. They have deepened the scientific understanding of how stem cells are involved in the origin and progression of cancer.

Currently, other treatments for AML, including the recently approved drug Gleevec, are only moderately effective. That may be because they do not affect the malignant stem cells, so "you're pulling the weed without getting to the root," as Dr. Craig T. Jordan of the University of Rochester said. In laboratory experiments, the Rochester scientists have now shown that parthenolide is in fact more selective at stopping cancer through apoptosis (programmed cell death) than was the standard drug cytarabine (Ara-C).

There have been some prior experiments showing that feverfew compounds halt the growth of cancer cells. A phase I trial found that it was also relatively non-toxic, laying the groundwork for future studies of its effectiveness (Curry 2004).

Feverfew Available

According to a University of Rochester press release, a person with leukemia would not be able to take enough of the over-the-counter herbal remedy to halt the disease. It is not clear how this information has been established in the absence of clinical trials. In fact, patients with leukemia might want to discuss this information with their hematologist-oncologist.

Standardized feverfew products are widely available for the treatment of migraine and other conditions. Many brands describe their products as "high parthenolide." One needs to read the labels carefully, however. I have found various products claiming to have 0.2, 0.5 or even 0.7 percent parthenolide by weight. Some of these come from obscure companies. One should definitely look for a product marketed by a reputable company which would have something substantial to lose by deceiving the public about the strength and purity of its product.

One such company is Nature's Way. This company markets three separate feverfew products: feverfew leaves, feverfew extract and an even more concentrated product called MygraFew. This claims to have a standardized content of 2 percent parthenolide. Thus, a 30 milligram tablet contains 600 micrograms of parthenolide.

Cautions

The label cautions that feverfew is not recommended for use by pregnant or lactating women, or children under two years of age. Certain individuals may also experience oral discomfort or irritation when using the product. If irritation does occur, the manufacturer advises discontinuing the use of the product immediately. According to the website www.intelihealth.com:

"Feverfew has been well tolerated in studies. The most common side effects are mouth inflammation or ulcers, including swelling of the lips, bleeding of the gums, and loss of taste. When stopped suddenly after being used for long periods of time, feverfew may cause rebound headaches, anxiety, sleep disturbances, muscle stiffness or pain. Some people may experience more rapid or pounding heart rates. Skin irritation or eczema may occur in those with feverfew allergies. Photosensitivity (sensitivity to sunlight or sunlamps) has been reported with other herbs in the Compositae plant family and may be possible with feverfew as well. Less common side effects may include stomach upset, such as indigestion, nausea, gas, constipation, diarrhea, bloating or heartburn."

It is not at all clear how often these adverse events occur. The website further cautions that feverfew may combine adversely with certain drugs:

"In theory, feverfew may increase the risk of bleeding when used with anticoagulants (blood thinners) or anti-platelet drugs. Examples include warfarin (Coumadin), heparin and clopidogrel (Plavix). Feverfew may also increase the risk of bleeding when used with anti-inflammatory pain relievers, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox). However, it is possible that feverfew may increase the effectiveness of these pain relievers.

"Based on the results from some animal studies, it has been suggested that feverfew could worsen symptoms of depression or reduce the effectiveness of antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac). Feverfew should be used with caution in individuals with a history of depression or other psychiatric illnesses."

The current research work on the use of feverfew in the treatment of AML is extremely good news. Apart from anything else, it strengthens the argument that what is at the root of cancer is not a transformed body (somatic) cell, but a special type of stem cell. This concept has the potential to revolutionize the understanding of cancer, and its treatment.

However, even with the help of NCI, it may be years before this flower derivative makes it to the market. One thing is certain. At around 20¢ per tablet, the cost is reasonable, and compares favorably with patented Gleevec, which, although better researched, costs around $100 per day.

National Debate

There is a major national debate in the US over stem cell research. The use of stem cells has been restricted by government decree.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) in principle is in favor of stem cell research. An NIH news release states:

"Research involving human pluripotent stem cells...promises new treatments and possible cures for many debilitating diseases and injuries. The NIH believes the potential medical benefits of human pluripotent stem cell technology are compelling and worthy of pursuit in accordance with appropriate ethical standards."

Yet there is a curious lack of support for stem cell research, at least at NCI. For instance, when I searched the NCI's financial year 2006 budget proposal I could find only one glancing reference to stem cells in that entire document.

I could also find no references whatsoever to stem cells in Andrew C. von Eschenbach's "A vision for the National Cancer Program in the United States." This is the statement in which the NCI director put forward his views on how to eliminate the death and suffering due to cancer by the year 2015. "A new era is now within our grasp," he stated, "a time when no one suffers or dies as a result of cancer." It is hard to imagine how the NCI intends to accomplish this without a serious involvement in the most important and exciting research initiative of our time.

References:

Curry EA 3rd, Murry DJ, Yoder C, et al. Phase I dose escalation trial of feverfew with standardized doses of parthenolide in patients with cancer. Invest New Drugs. 2004;22:299-305

von Eschenbach AC. A vision for the National Cancer Program in the United States. Nat Rev Cancer. 2004;4:820-8. Retrieved February 22, 2004 from:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/491395_1

Guzman ML, Rossi RM, Karnischky L, et al. The sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide induces apoptosis of human acute myelogenous leukemia stem and progenitor cells. Blood. 2005 Feb 1; [Epub ahead of print]

Murphy JJ, Heptinstall S, Mitchell JR. Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial of feverfew in migraine prevention. Lancet. 1988;2:189-92

Pfaffenrath V, Diener HC, Fischer M, et al. The efficacy and safety of Tanacetum parthenium (feverfew) in migraine prophylaxis--a double-blind, multicentre, randomized placebo-controlled dose-response study. Cephalalgia. 2002;22:523-32

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

The news and other items in this newsletter are intended for informational purposes only. Nothing in this newsletter is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.

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