Licorice compound suppresses ‘silent killer’ pancreatic cancer, Hong Kong study finds, paving way for improved treatment
- Study reveals isoliquiritigenin lowers survival rate of cancer cells, according to Baptist University
- Substance has fewer side effects compared with conventional treatments and can boost impact of other drugs, research finds
A chemical compound in licorice, a herb commonly used in Chinese medicine, has proved effective in suppressing pancreatic cancer, a Hong Kong Baptist University study has found, paving the way for improved treatments against the “silent killer” disease.
The research team behind the paper on Monday said isoliquiritigenin in licorice, or Gan Cao in Chinese, had lowered the survival rate of cancer cells in laboratory experiments, and resulted in fewer side effects compared with conventional treatments.
It also boosted the impact of drugs commonly used to treat the illness, the researchers added.
“This compound is worth considering for further development into a new generation of chemotherapy treatment,” said Joshua Ko Ka-Shun, an associate professor at the university’s school of Chinese medicine, who led the team.
“[Pancreatic cancer] is difficult to identify, and usually at a late-stage when it is detected, with not many treatment options available,” he said. “Finding a suitable treatment is urgent.”