'Madagascar Periwinkle' - A Cure For "The BIG C"

[Arthur Little]

Plant proves invaluable in the fight against Cancer!

Madagascar Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) is a tender perennial, often grown as a house plant. It was traditionally used by Europeans as a remedy for diabetes and digestive ailments when first introduced from its source of origin on the LARGE African island of Madagascar.

Two of the alkaloids (viscristine & vinblastine) found in the sap of *this plant are apparently being used to treat Leukaemia & Hodgkins Disease ... and are only found in tiny amounts; one tonne of leaves needs to be processed for the purpose of providing a single dose. In the early '60s, fewer than 20% of childhood leukaemia victims survived. Nowadays, ninety~five percent of sufferers have a chance of remission ... due to the drugs developed from *it.

That's - both interesting, and - AMAZING!

[Terpe]

Very interesting Arthur....thanks.
I have a bit of an interest in the medicinal properties of plants etc. Don't know but have had since I was a teenager.

At our village primary I remember losing 2 schoolmates to Leukaemia. I couldn't figure out what it was and believed for some years that it must be connected to playing in our local river.
Had the same beliefs about polio too.

I'm certain that research into plants and genetics will accelerate exponentially year on year with some fantastics discoveries to come soon.
Fascinating stuff.

[Doc Alan]

There are in fact over a hundred chemical substances derived from plants which have been used as drugs ( controlled or otherwise ) and medicines. They include digoxin ( foxglove ; heart conditions ) ; cannabis ; cocaine ( coca plant ) ; codeine and morphine ( pain relief ; poppy ) ; colchicine ( autumn crocus ; gout ); and quinine ( “ quinine tree “ ; antimalarial ).




Since their discovery in the 1950’s the vinca alkaloids have been widely used for treatment of a variety of cancers including leukaemias, lymphomas, and some “ solid “ tumours like breast and lung cancer. They are cytotoxic – stopping cell division and causing cell death. In addition to vinblastine and vincristine there is vindesine ; and the semi-synthetic vinorelbine. They are commonly combined with other cytotoxic drugs.


Unfortunately this doesn’t just mean cancer cells, but also other rapidly dividing cells - like normal bone marrow, skin and hair, and gut-lining cells. They also need to be given intravenously ( into a vein, not by mouth ).


It’s true the outlook for leukaemia ( cancer of the white blood cells, “ spilling out “ from the bone marrow into the blood stream ) has improved dramatically over the past 40 years, both for children and adults. Treatment depends on the type. It’s not common, around 2% of all UK cancers ( and even fewer in the Philippines ).


Lymphoma is cancer of cells of the lymphatic system – either Hodgkin’s lymphoma ( 1/5 ) or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma ( 4/5 ). These cancers are also not common, and the cause is poorly understood. Treatment varies according to type, grade or aggressiveness ( low or high ) and stage ( how widespread it is ). Overall the outlook has improved. In addition to various drugs, radiotherapy and stem cell transplant may be used.


The problem with “ chemotherapy “ , where medicines are used singly or in combination to kill cancer cells, is that until recently it has been non-specific, with many side effects.


There are well over 200 different main cancer types, and 2/5 of us will get cancer. Prevention is still better than cure - at least 2/5 cancers are due to lifestyle.


It’s also unlikely there will be one “ magic bullet “ cure for cancer. Based on genetic profile, there are in fact thousands of subtypes of cancer. Treatment for most HAS improved over the past 40 years.




Vaccines are now used to prevent cervical cancer - in UK and Philippines ; and liver cancer ( a common cancer in Philippines ).

The way forward will also be for “ targeted “ treatments, only killing cancer cells, not normal ones.

There are already over 100 such drugs approved for patient use. Several are used in breast cancer; others target a type of leukaemia ( chronic myeloid ) ; and certain types of skin cancer ( melanoma ) - with good results.


Even if some new “ targeted “ drugs at the moment simply increase survival, we can be optimistic that in future combinations of such drugs ( “ cocktails “ ) may result in years of longer survival or cure .

[Rosie1958]

What an informative piece of information, great posting Doc Alan! Sadly, acute myeloid leukaemia got the better of my lovely dad but hopefully with the advancements being made in medicine and the treatments you mention, many other lives will be saved