The sap from Euphorbia peplus is effective against human nonmelanoma skin cancers

J R Ramsay; A Suhrbier; J H Aylward; Steven Ogbourne; S J Cozzi; M G Poulsen; K C Baumann; P Welburn; G L Redlich; P G Parsons

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2010.10184.x

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The sap from Euphorbia peplus is effective against human nonmelanoma skin cancers

Journal article

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The sap from Euphorbia peplus is effective against human nonmelanoma skin cancers

J R Ramsay, A Suhrbier, J H Aylward, Steven Ogbourne, S J Cozzi, M G Poulsen, K C Baumann, P Welburn, G L Redlich and P G Parsons

British Journal of Dermatology, Vol.164(3), pp.633-636

2011

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2010.10184.x

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Abstract

Euphorbia peplus

cancer treatment

cancer

Background The sap from Euphorbia peplus, commonly known as petty spurge in the U.K. or radium weed in Australia, has been used as a traditional treatment for a number of cancers. Objective To determine the effectiveness of E. peplus sap in a phase I/II clinical study for the topical treatment of basal cell carcinomas (BCC), squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and intraepidermal carcinomas (IEC). Methods Thirty-six patients, who had refused, failed or were unsuitable for conventional treatment, were enrolled in a phase I/II clinical study. A total of 48 skin cancer lesions were treated topically with 100-300 μL of E. peplus sap once daily for 3 days. Results The complete clinical response rates at 1 month were 82% (n = 28) for BCC, 94% (n = 16) for IEC and 75% (n = 4) for SCC. After a mean follow-up of 15 months these rates were 57%, 75% and 50%, respectively. For superficial lesions & 16 mm, the response rates after follow-up were 100% for IEC (n = 10) and 78% for BCC (n = 9). Conclusions The clinical responses for these relatively unfavourable lesions (43% had failed previous treatments, 35% were situated in the head and neck region and 30% were > 2 cm in diameter), are comparable with existing nonsurgical treatments. An active ingredient of E. peplus sap has been identified as ingenol mebutate (PEP005). This clinical study affirms community experience with E. peplus sap, and supports further clinical development of PEP005 for the treatment of BCC, SCC and IEC.

Details

Title: The sap from Euphorbia peplus is effective against human nonmelanoma skin cancers
Authors: J R Ramsay (Author) - Mater Radiation Oncology Centre, Brisbane
A Suhrbier (Author) - Queensland Institute of Medical Research
J H Aylward (Author) - Peplin Biotech Ltd, Brisbane
Steven Ogbourne (Author) - Queensland Institute of Medical Research
S J Cozzi (Author) - Queensland Institute of Medical Research
M G Poulsen (Author) - Mater Radiation Oncology Centre, Brisbane
K C Baumann (Author) - Mater Radiation Oncology Centre, Brisbane
P Welburn (Author) - Peplin Biotech Ltd, Brisbane
G L Redlich (Author) - Peplin Biotech Ltd, Brisbane
P G Parsons (Author) - Queensland Institute of Medical Research
Publication details: British Journal of Dermatology, Vol.164(3), pp.633-636
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Date published: 2011
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2010.10184.x
ISSN: 0007-0963
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449624702621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Dermatology

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