Scientists have destroyed cancerous tumours using the drug EBC-46, derived from a compound naturally found in the seeds of berries from the Australian blushwood tree. The trials took place at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Queensland and results were published in the PLOS One journal in October 2014. This rare rainforest tree is only found in specific areas of the Atherton Tablelands, Northern Queensland, Australia.
A single injection of EBC-46 into laboratory grown melanoma models and cancers of the head, neck and colon in mice destroyed the tumours in more than 70% of cases. EBC-46 triggers a cellular response which cuts off the blood supply to the tumour.
“In preclinical trials we injected it into our models and within five minutes, you see a purpling of the area that looks like a bruise. About 24 hours later, the tumour area goes black, a couple of days later you see a scab, and at around the 1.5 week mark, the scab falls off, leaving clean skin with no tumour there. The speed certainly surprised me.” – Dr Glen Boyle, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
EBC-46 has already been used by vets to successfully treat cancerous tumours in around 300 cats, dogs and horses. The treatment is being developed by an Australian owned company called QBiotics, a subsidiary of EcoBiotics. Ethical approval was recently granted for phase 1 of human clinical trials, however as of yet no time frame has been given by QBiotics as to when human trials will commence.
“We must stress at this point that EBC-46 will only be trialled in the short-term for tumours which can be accessed by direct injection or topical application. There is no evidence to suggest EBC-46 would be effective against metastatic cancers.” – Dr Glen Boyle, , QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
Hylandia dockrillii, commonly referred to as blushwood, has long been known by the Aborigines to have fast acting healing properties. A member of the Euphorbiaceae family, the plant requires extremely particular growing conditions, meaning that growing the plant in areas outside the rainforest where it is found has previously proved difficult. Despite this, QBiotics is currently exploring the possibility of creating a blushwood plantation to enable increased manufacturing of the drug.
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