Scientists have achieved excellent results in fighting cancerous tumors by using an experimental drug produced from the seeds of a fruit from northeastern Australia. 

The drug, called EBC-46, was derived by extracting a compound from the berry of the blushwood tree, which is only found in specific areas of the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland.

The eight-year study led by Dr. Glen Boyle at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute found a single injection of the drug destroyed a range of different tumors long-term in animals in 75% of cases.

Boyle said the pre-clinical trials' findings suggested the drug could be used effectively in human patients.

"We were able to achieve very strong results injecting EBC-46 directly into melanoma models, as well as cancers of the head, neck and colon," Boyle said.

"In most cases the single injection treatment caused the loss of viability of cancer cells within four hours, and ultimately destroyed the tumours."

Boyle said the drug essentially worked in three ways - by killing the tumor cells directly, cutting off the blood supply, and activating the body's own immune system to clean up what is left behind.

It has been used by veterinarians in about 300 cases of cancer in companion animals including dogs, cats and horses.

There was no evidence EBC-46 would be effective to treat cancers that had spread to other parts of the body - known as metastatic cancers.

In addition, researchers didn't observe any negative side effects of the drug when it was used to treat cancers, and it reportedly started working far quicker than most pharmaceutical products.

EBC-46 was discovered by the Queensland biotechnology company EcoBiotics, and the drug is being developed as a human and veterinary pharmaceutical through EcoBiotics’ subsidiary company QBiotics.

QBiotics is currently undertaking formal veterinary clinical trials with EBC-46 in Australia and the U.S.

A final regulatory approval is still required for a human Phase I clinical trial.

Boyle said QIMR Berghofer was keen to pursue further research to determine if EBC-46 could be made more effective.

"We must stress at this point that EBC-46 will only be trialled in the short-term for tumours which can be accessed by direct injection or topical application," Boyle said.

Photo: QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute

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