When I lived in northern climes I once tried to grow Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum), but this plant never flowered. It disappeared after the first cold winter, since it will not grow where the average January temperature is below 20º F. In my walks through the northern woods I cannot remember ever seeing them growing in any abundance. I wrote about Mayapple in my book Herbs Against Cancer (1998), but my only acquaintance with the plant was through visits to botanical gardens and, of course, other books.

Imagine my surprise, now that I live in a more moderate zone, to find not just one but hundreds of Mayapple plants almost everywhere I look! I don’t remember these from last year. Are Mayapples having some sort of spectacular year or am I just slowing down so that I now notice things that formerly zipped by me on the highway of life.

These are lovely plants, which can carpet the forest floor. Their flowers are among the first to appear in spring, hence the name Mayapple. Their broad leaves form an overarching umbrella over its single white-and-yellow flower.

A picture of Mayapple my companion and I took on a recent stroll through the woods.

The flower, once fertilized, forms the basis of the fruit that gives the plant its popular name. Once yellow and thoroughly ripe the fruit is edible and delicious. Some people wait until early summer for the fruit to fall on its own before eating it. You may have trouble finding these, however, as they are a favorite among wild critters, such as deer and raccoons.

I was amazed at the huge stands of this plant in the understory of mixed growth woods near my home. On a drive through the countryside I saw literally acres of Mayapple plants on the verge of the forest. So perhaps I will return this summer in search of an unusual meal. (Note: The fruit when still green is very astringent and toxic.)

Native Americans also used the underground parts of this plant to treat warts. In China and Japan, the roots and rhizomes of a related plant were used to make Hakkakuren, which was a folk remedy for cancer of the genitals. In the 1940s, scientists began studying various folk remedies for cancer, including this one, and found that some of its constituents (called lignans) stopped cellular growth. For a while, a podophyllin extract was administered to patients right after their radiation treatment for cancer.

One fraction of the plant was given the name etoposide (VP-16, or VePeSid). Another was called teniposide (VM-26). They are now the subject of thousands of journal articles and part of the standard chemotherapeutic arsenal. Abbott Labs in North Chicago reputedly uses 300,000 pounds of Mayapple per year to produce these drugs. Etoposide is best known as one of the three components in the “ICE” regimen (ifosfamide + carboplatin + etoposide), used for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and other diseases.

Going to ASCO

In a few weeks, I will be going to the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), to be held this year in Orlando, FL, May 29 to June 2, 2009. Each year ASCO attracts about 25,000 oncologists to exchange information on the latest developments in cancer. I hope to come back with cutting-edge scientific information on the prevention and treatment of a variety of cancers. This is a way for me to “recharge my batteries” with new ideas for my newsletter, Townsend Letter column, 200+ diagnosis-specific Moss Reports and my phone consultations.

My focus this year will be on new developments in the treatment of the following cancers:

• Breast
• Prostate
• Colon
• Lung
• Melanoma
• Leukemia and Lymphoma
• Brain and Other Neurological Tumors

But I will keep an eye open on the less common cancers as well. In addition, I will be looking for new information on overcoming the adverse effects of radiation and chemotherapy and positive or negative interactions of antioxidants and conventional therapy. I am especially interested in the forums planned on vitamin D supplementation and the role of diet and exercise in cancer care.

I look forward to attending some of the sessions, looking at many of the poster presentations, and of course seeing old friends and colleagues. Unfortunately, no time for Disney or the other wonders of Florida on this trip!

Some of the most interesting sounding sessions are as follows:

• Locally Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer-Putting the Data into Perspective
  
  
• Integrating Molecular Tools into Clinical Practice: Individualizing Treatment for Breast Cancer
  
  
• Novel Therapies for Malignant Gliomas
  
  
• Vitamin D Supplementation: Does It Have a Role in Cancer Treatment and Prevention?
  
  
• Lung Cancer-Local-Regional and Adjuvant Therapy
  
  
• Local Prostate Cancer Therapy: What the Medical Oncologist Needs to Know
  
  
• Lung Cancer-Local-Regional and Adjuvant Therapy
  
  
• Diet, Exercise, and Cancer: Does the Evidence Support Lifestyle Modification as Part of Cancer Treatment?

It should be a good meeting and a way for me to bring back much useful information for my clients and readers.

--Ralph W. Moss, Ph.D.

CLICK HERE to order my latest Current Topic report, "Coley's Toxins: The Sum of Our Hope."

PHONE CONSULTATIONS

Ralph Moss does phone consultations for clients who have previously ordered one of our comprehensive Moss Reports on their cancer. Here is a comment of one of our recent phone consultations:

"My telephone consult with Dr. Moss was very encouraging. First of all, One thinks that there is no other recourse than the traditional medical offerings. I am undergoing a trial study thinking that if this doesn't work I'm doomed and Ralph gave me three options. He was informative and knowledgeable about the subject and I thank God that he is doing this kind of work. We are looking into the three options. Also, his report on the Coley's Toxin was very interesting to read. He makes a sobering subject easy to read with the historical background and so forth." -- R.K., May 1, 2009.

If you would like to set up a phone consultation (or have already done one and want to arrange a follow-up), please contact Ralph's assistant, Jacquie Johnson. Her phone number is 814-466-6514. You can usually reach her during normal EST business hours. If you get an answering machine, leave a message and she will call you back promptly. Or you can reach her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .