Natural-source cancer cures:

Dr. David Hoskin shows anti-cancer potential of a milk-protein derivative

Dalhousie Medical School scientist Dr. David Hoskin is proving the value of natural-source medicines. He has found that a tiny fragment of milk protein known as ‘lactoferricin’ has powerful anti-cancer activity. His experiments have shown that lactoferricin triggers the death of cancer cells obtained from a wide range of human malignancies, including breast, colon and ovarian tumours, and various leukemias.

“Lactoferricin seems to be particularly effective against leukemia and certain breast cancers,” says Dr. Hoskin, a professor in the departments of Microbiology & Immunology and Pathology. “Our research shows that a single concentrated exposure kills 80 to 100 per cent of leukemia cells within 24 hours.” The same dose kills from 20 to 60 per cent of other kinds of cancer cells in the same time frame.

Many chemotherapy drugs are derived from natural sources, including taxol, from the bark of the Pacific yew tree, and vinblastine, from the Madagascar periwinkle. Unlike these and many other cancer treatments, however, lactoferricin has no toxic effect on normal cells and does not interfere with immune function. This makes it a safe and effective option, derived from a readily available source.

Dr. Hoskin wants to see if the milk derivative can be used to sensitize cancer cells to radiation therapy. “Lactoferricin stimulates the production of free radicals inside cancer cells,” he explains, “Radiation is more effective when large numbers of free radicals are present.” Sensitizing cancer cells to radiation with lactoferricin would reduce the level of radiation required to treat the cancer, protecting the patient from radiation’s toxic effects.