A golf-sized green sponge discovered more than a decade ago in deep, icy waters off the coast of Alaska is showing promise as a treatment for pancreatic and ovariancancer.
Scientists say a molecule from the sponge selectively killed malignant cells in both types of diseases in laboratory tests.
The discovery came after researchers spent the last two decades researching natural products that could be used for drugs.
‘This is big news, because there are currently few treatments for this type of cancer [pancreatic],’ Dr Douglas DeMaster, science director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) told the Detroit Free Press.
NOAA has partnered with the Henry Ford Cancer Institute in Detroit and the Medical University of South Carolina to study the sponge.
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If this works, a drug company will patent it and raise the costs so high only the rich can afford to live.
ReplyDeleteThey want the elderly and the poor to
ReplyDeletedie off! I truly believe this with
what's happened our higher cost
of Insurance and Drugs.
My daughter has MS ---- her shots
are once a day , cost is $10,000.00
a month!!!!!!! Drug name, Copaxone.
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking the same thing, 7:11.
There are a number of natural substances (like vitamin C) that are very effective against cancer, but cannot be patented and sold for disgraceful prices, so they are buried or banned.