Chinese tree bark treats pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most difficult to treat and few patients survive past five years. But researchers are finding new hope in an ancient remedy.

Michael Gilkerson doesn’t miss a day on his treadmill.

He says it gives him strength and motivation after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer more than two years ago.

“I’ve never told my mom this,” Gilkerson said, “but I was close to giving up.”

Pancreatic cancer is one of the toughest cancers to treat. Only 6 percent to 8 percent of patients survive five years after the time of diagnosis.

Medical Oncologist Christos Fountzilas, MD said, “We know that pancreatic cancer is going to be the second leading cause of death in the United States within the next ten years so we’re desperate for new treatments.”

But a compound derived from Chinese tree bark could provide an answer. It’s called FL-118 and its being developed at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo.

Associate Professor of Oncology Fengzhi Li, PhD explained, “Our drug, either used alone or in combination with current therapies, can completely eliminate the tumor.”

It’s based on a substance that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries and has been shown, so far, to be very tolerable and non-toxic.

Dr. Fountzilas said, “It’s killing cancer cells and it’s helping our treatments be more effective in killing cancer cells even if these cancer cells become resistant to treatment.

Gilkerson, who’s currently cancer- free says this new drug is providing hope.

“If just one doesn’t have to go through what I went through, it’s worth it,” he said.
Researchers say they hope to begin clinical trials of the compound within the next year.