Did you know that an herb prized for its ability to help prevent migraine headaches destroys human leukemia stems cells? And it does so better than any other single therapy.
You read that right! It wipes out leukemia better than chemotherapy and radiation. According to a new study, parthenolide, an active component of feverfew, is the first single agent found to act on myeloid leukemia at the stem-cell level. This is where malignancies are born. Current cancer therapies are powerless against leukemia at this level. Even Gleevec, the most successful conventional treatment available, does not reach stem cells.
Researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center's James P. Wilmot Cancer Center tested a concentrated form of parthenolide on acute myelogenous leukemia stem cells, chronic myelogenous leukemia stem cells, and normal cells. They found that the compound killed cancer cells without affecting normal cells. When compared head-to-head against the chemotherapy drug cytarabine, parthenolide was superior at killing the leukemia cells. And the fact that it spares normal cells is important. None of the chemo drugs can do that.
The University of Rochester team is working together with chemists at the University of Kentucky to develop a pharmaceutical compound made from parthenolide. And the National Cancer Institute has accepted it into its rapid-access program.
Leukemia patients will soon be able to use this new, effective, and non-toxic approach to wipe out their disease. In the meantime, check with your doctor and see if he has any scientific reason to avoid taking the herb feverfew along with your current treatments. If he's okay with it, take it according to label directions.
Your insider for better health,
Steve Kroening
Steve Kroening is the editor of Nutrient Insider, a twice-a-week email newsletter that brings you the latest healing breakthroughs from the world of nutrition and dietary supplements. For over 20 years, Steve has worked hand-in-hand with some of the nation's top doctors, including Drs. Robert Rowen, Frank Shallenberger, Nan Fuchs, William Campbell Douglass, and best-selling author James Balch. Steve is the author of the book Practical Guide to Home Remedies. As a health journalist, Steve's articles have appeared in countless magazines, blogs, and websites.
Source:
Blood, March 2005.