VANCOUVER, B.C. – The use of an ancient herbal remedy for lung cancer prevention is now being studied at the BC Cancer Agency. Current or former smokers interested in lung cancer prevention are invited to apply for this clinical trial.
Researchers at the BC Cancer Agency (BCCA) - in collaboration with Global Cancer Strategies, a Vancouver-based company – have received a $4 million grant from the U.S. National Cancer Institute. Global Cancer Strategies was founded by the late Dr. John Wah Jun Tze.
The Lung Health Study at BCCA, headed by Dr. Stephen Lam, is testing the most recent in a series of chemopreventive agents aimed at reducing the amount of pre-cancerous cells in the lungs of smokers and ex-smokers. The agent being studied, ACAPHA, is a combination of six herbs (Sophora tonkinensis, Polygonum bistorta, Prunella vulgaris, Sonchus brachyotus, Dictamnus dasycarpus and Dioscorea bulbifera) and has been used for disease prevention in China for centuries. The efficacy of botanical extracts in Western medicine is gaining increasing recognition.
"There is a growing demand in North America from people looking for herbal or botanical remedies to diseases such as cancer," explains Dr. Lam.
In earlier studies in China, ACAPHA has been shown to reduce the risk of esophageal cancer by 40 to 50 percent. A preliminary open study at BCCA also showed promising results in preventing the development and progression of pre-cancerous lesions in the lung.
The Lung Health Study is now recruiting volunteers for this study. Researchers will screen 3,500 volunteers, and from there, choose 100 eligible participants. Ex-smokers between the ages of 45 and 74 are the primary target of the study, but smokers who are willing to quit will be considered, and offered cessation support.
Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in men and women in Canada and the U.S. More people die each year from lung cancer than from breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined.
For information about participating in the study, please call 604-877-6190.
The BC Cancer Agency, a part of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. The BC Cancer Research Centre conducts research into the causes and cures for cancer.
For more information, please contact:
Nicole Adams
Public Relations Officer
BC Cancer Agency
Ph: (604) 877-6272
nadams@bccancer.bc.ca