Jerry McLaughlin, BS (Pharm), MS, Phd, RPh , Emeritus Professor of Pharmacognosy, Purdue University spoke about Paw Paw and Cancer: From Discovery to Clinical Trials. Paw Paw or Asimina triloba is also called custard apple, poor man's banana, and Indiana banana. It is indigenous to eastern North America. Native Americans used the fruits as food and the bark for medicine and fish nets. Extracts of paw paw have been used as an emetic (inducing vomiting), by Eli Lilly in 1898. Dr. McLaughlin mentioned that graviola or Brazilian paw paw is less potent than the one his group studied at Purdue University. According to his research, paw paw twigs should only be collected during the peak month (Gu et al; Phytochemical Analysis, 10:32-38, 1999). Why do they use the twigs? Most potent part Easiest to collect Allows the tree to continue to survive Several acetogenins have been isolated from these twigs and in a chart shown at ACAM, Dr. McLaughlin demonstrated that in almost all cases, they were more cytotoxic in A549 human lung tumors and P388 murine leukemia tumors, than Adriamycin.(unpublished data, J. McAlpine, Abbott Laboratories). Its anti-tumor efficacy against A2780 human ovarian carcinoma in athymic mice, was demonstrated by the Upjohn Company, Ahammadsahib et al, Life Sciences 53, 1113-1120, 1993. There have been over 100 scientific papers published on the chemistry and biology of the paw paw compounds. Dr. McLaughlin suggested four mechanisms by which paw paw regulates cells: Slows or stops ATP (adenosine tripshophate) production, thus energy is depleted. Apoptosis (programmed cell death) results. a) at NADH: ubiquinone oxidorecductase (mitochondria) b) at NADH: oxidase (tumor cell membranes) ATP is a direct and indirect precursor of DNA and RNA, thus cell reproduction is slowed or stopped; this effect blocks viral replication (cold sores, shingles, etc.) Angiogenesis in endothelial cells requires ATP, thus, blood vessel formation is slowed or stopped. The multiple-drug resistance (MDR) pump requires ATP, thus drug resistant cells are slowed or stopped. In doing so it helps restore the function of refractive chemotherapy. DO NOT USE WITH COQ10 or THYROID stimulators, or ANTIOXIDANTS. No one with Parkinsons Disease should take this substance, unless alkaloid-free preparations are used. There is also a possibility of allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Paw paw is not toxic according to studies with beagles (dogs). It appears to be impossible to 'overdose', 32 capsules 4x/day were non toxic because it caused vomiting. In clinical trials with human research subjects, generally using one capsule 4x/day, some breast cancer patients experienced partial or complete tumor reduction. In men with prostate cancer, some patients experienced subjective benefits as well as tumor reduction and PSA decreases. One patient even took half the suggested dose (mistakenly). There were good results with lymphoma - Non Hodgkins where white cell counts were reduced, as were lymphocytes. A patient with stage IV lung cancer also had subjective and objective results. According to Dr. McLaughlin, hundreds of human research subjects have used paw paw, with many types of tumors. Significant reductions in tumor sizes has been seen (verified by CT, etc.) There have been reductions in tumor antigen levels (PSA, CA27/29, CA125, alkaline phosphatase, etc.) There have been very few unwanted effects, some itching and some nausea/vomiting but many have reported 'increased energy'. There was no hair loss, no GI bleeding, no bone marrow depression. Benefits have been seen with cold sores, shingles, toe nail fungus, acne, athletes foot, eczema and psoriasis. This product comes in capsules, lotion or salve. A 3%topical cream will become available in September. From Richard Lund: "We, like you, are not doctors, so we cannot dispense medical advice. But we do try to educate people about Paw Paw's actions to slow ATP production in abnormal cells in the body. Our toll free number is 877-871-6262. The web address for sale of the Paw Paw twig extract is pawpawforhealth.com." LINK to site w/Videos Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.