Publications on Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancers are enriched with cancer stem-like cells (CSCs), which are resistant to chemotherapies, and responsible for tumor metastasis and recurrence. We investigated the extract of a medicinal plant Pao pereira for its activity against pancreatic CSCs. Pao inhibited overall proliferation of human pancreatic cancer cell lines and had limited cytotoxicity to normal epithelial cells. In several assays pancreatic CSC population was significantly reduced. In vivo, the Pao extract significantly reduced tumorigenicity of PANC-1 cells. Further investigation is warranted in using Pao as a novel treatment targeting pancreatic CSCs.
The poor treatment outcomes of pancreatic cancer are linked to an enrichment of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in these tumors, which are resistant to chemotherapy and promote metastasis and tumor recurrence. In these experiments, the pancreatic CSC population, identified using cell surface markers or a tumor spheroid formation assay, was significantly reduced by the Rauwolfia vomitoria extract. In vivo the Rauwolfia extract significantly reduced the tumorigenicity of pancreatic cancer cells. Taken together, these data showed that Rauwolfia preferentially inhibited pancreatic cancer stem cells.
In preclinical pancreatic cancer models, Rauwolfia vomitoria extract induced apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. The combination of Rauwolfia extract and gemcitabine had a synergistic effect in inhibiting cell growth. Pancreatic tumor growth was significantly suppressed by Rauwolfia treatment and metastasis was inhibited as well. Adding Rauwolfia extract to gemcitabine treatment further reduced tumor burden and metastatic potential in the gemcitabine resistant tumors. These data suggest that Rau possesses anti–pancreatic cancer activity and could improve the effect of gemcitabine.
Pao pereira extract induced dose-dependent apoptosis in all tested pancreatic cancer cell lines. The combination of Pao extract and Gemcitabine had a synergistic effect in the inhibition of cancer cell growth. Mice with pancreatic tumors were treated with Pao extract and Gemcitabine, either alone or in combination. While Gemcitabine did not provide significant inhibition, Pao treatment significantly suppressed tumor growth by 70-72%, and by 78% when combined with Gemcitabine.
HEALTHY TUESDAY ABOUT PANCREATIC CANCERON DEMAND
Hear directly fromDr. John Hall
Every month at Healthy Tuesdays – virtual events organized to help you Feel Better Naturally – we feature healthcare professionals who come together to share information and advice related to holistic health.
Dr. John Hall was the keynote speaker at the Virtual Healthy Tuesdays discussing Pancreatic Cancer. He shared with the participants his expertise, facts and thoughts.
We invite you to watch the event recording on demand.
