Combining traditional forms of Chinese and
Western medicine could offer new hope for
developing new treatments for some cancers, say
experts from universities in Cardiff and Peking.
Prof Wen Jiang from Cardiff University said they have
discovered how a formula of traditional Chinese
medicine works to stop cancer spreading.
The universities have been collaborating for two years.
Prof Jiang described the breakthrough as "ancient
medicine, modern thinking".
Experts from the Cardiff School of Medicine joined
forces with Peking University in 2012 to test the health
benefits of the Chinese herbal medicine called
Yangzheng Xiaoji.
Pathway
The formula, consisting of 14 herbs, has previously
been shown to be beneficial to cancer patients but until
this latest research, the way in which it works had
remained unknown.
The joint research has investigated how the formula
works and discovered that it blocks a pathway,
stopping the spread of cancer cells in the body.
Prof Jiang, the director of the Cardiff University- Peking
University Joint Cancer Institute at Cardiff, explained:
"Traditional Chinese medicine where compounds are
extracted from natural products or herbs have been
practised for centuries in China, Korea, Japan and
other countries in Asia.
"Although a few successes, most of the traditional
remedies are short of scientific explanation which has
inevitably led to scepticism - especially amongst
traditionalists in the West.
"As a result, we set out to test the success of a Chinese
medicine and then consider how combining it alongside
traditional methods like chemotherapy could result in
positive outcome for patients."
The professor said the Chinese formula has been
shown to be beneficial to patients with certain solid
tumours, when used alone and in conventional
therapies, such as chemotherapy.
He added: "It suggests that combining the formula with
conventional as well as new therapies could hold the
key to developing new treatments for cancer patients.
Clinical trials of the combined treatment for lung and
other cancers have already begun and were providing
positive results, Prof Jiang added.
Western medicine could offer new hope for
developing new treatments for some cancers, say
experts from universities in Cardiff and Peking.
Prof Wen Jiang from Cardiff University said they have
discovered how a formula of traditional Chinese
medicine works to stop cancer spreading.
The universities have been collaborating for two years.
Prof Jiang described the breakthrough as "ancient
medicine, modern thinking".
Experts from the Cardiff School of Medicine joined
forces with Peking University in 2012 to test the health
benefits of the Chinese herbal medicine called
Yangzheng Xiaoji.
Pathway
The formula, consisting of 14 herbs, has previously
been shown to be beneficial to cancer patients but until
this latest research, the way in which it works had
remained unknown.
The joint research has investigated how the formula
works and discovered that it blocks a pathway,
stopping the spread of cancer cells in the body.
Prof Jiang, the director of the Cardiff University- Peking
University Joint Cancer Institute at Cardiff, explained:
"Traditional Chinese medicine where compounds are
extracted from natural products or herbs have been
practised for centuries in China, Korea, Japan and
other countries in Asia.
"Although a few successes, most of the traditional
remedies are short of scientific explanation which has
inevitably led to scepticism - especially amongst
traditionalists in the West.
"As a result, we set out to test the success of a Chinese
medicine and then consider how combining it alongside
traditional methods like chemotherapy could result in
positive outcome for patients."
The professor said the Chinese formula has been
shown to be beneficial to patients with certain solid
tumours, when used alone and in conventional
therapies, such as chemotherapy.
He added: "It suggests that combining the formula with
conventional as well as new therapies could hold the
key to developing new treatments for cancer patients.
Clinical trials of the combined treatment for lung and
other cancers have already begun and were providing
positive results, Prof Jiang added.
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