Miracle Herb Eases Cancer Treatment Side Effects
A recent small-scale trial suggests that an experimental drug derived from traditional Chinese herbal medicine could alleviate some of the harmful side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy in cancer patients. The drug, YIV-906, was tested on a group of 24 patients undergoing treatment for rectal cancer, and results indicated a reduction in gastrointestinal (GI) side effects.
YIV-906 is inspired by an ancient remedy dating back 1,800 years, which combines licorice, dates, peonies, and skullcap to treat stomach issues. Researchers published their findings in the Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology, noting that YIV-906 showed promise in mitigating GI toxicity associated with cancer treatments.
In the four-year phase 2 study, patients took YIV-906 capsules alongside their chemotherapy and radiation therapy before undergoing surgery. The results revealed that about 17% of the participants had a complete or nearly complete response to their cancer treatment by the time of surgery, and the five-year overall survival rate was 82%. Additionally, only two instances of severe diarrhea were reported, highlighting YIV-906’s potential to reduce side effects such as diarrhea, fatigue, and nausea.
Senior researcher Dr. Susan Higgins from Yale University noted that the drug was well-tolerated and did not cause serious toxicity. Patients reported that taking the drug in pill form was straightforward and manageable. The encouraging results suggest that further studies are needed to test YIV-906 on a larger scale and in patients with other types of cancer, including pelvic cancer. Researchers believe that YIV-906 might enable patients to endure more intensive doses of chemotherapy and radiation, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of their cancer treatment.
Discussion about this post