Research out of Texas has found that dried venom secreted from the skin of toads may slow the progression of certain cancers. The venom, also known as huachansu, is used extensively in China to treat certain cancers. The venom was tested in phase I clinical trials, marking the first time that its toxicity was examined in relation to dose levels in this country, where acceptance of non-traditional western medicines has been met with some degree of skepticism by the public and the medical establishment.

The results, which have been published in the journal Cancer, was a collaborative effort between the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and the Fudan University Cancer Hospital in Shanghai, and received support from the National Cancer Institute.

Using proper quality control methods in order to ensure uniformity and consistency, patients with advanced stage liver, lung and pancreatic cancer were given daily doses of huachansu over a period of 14 days, followed by 7 days without treatment. The therapy took place over the course of one and a half years (January 2005 to July 2006).

What they found was that doses up to 8 times higher than conventional amounts had low toxicity and side effects, with 73% of the patients experiencing toxicity no greater than the lowest level measured. Of the patients who completed treatment, 40% had stabilized for an average of 6 months, and one patient had a 20% reduction in tumor mass for more than 11 months.

According to experts, even though the treatment did not result in a complete or partial response, which is defined as a reduction of the disease by at least 30%, the results were promising in that the tumors did not progress in many of the patients. In light of previous observations, the authors are encouraged and cite the need for further study.

A phase II clinical trial is under way that will examine the effects of huachansu in combination with gemcitabine, a chemotherapeutic agent used in this country, and compare it with huachansu in combination with a placebo. This could lead to more clinical studies involving traditional Chinese medicine, potentially ushering in an era of greater acceptance for alternative therapies. The collaboration between the two cancer centers also represents a framework by which future research and education can occur.

Currently, the standard treatment cancer involves surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, or any combination of the three. Acceptance of alternative therapies to fight cancer, including holistic, herbal, and Chinese medicines, are slowly gaining acceptance in the U.S., even though they have often been used for thousands of years in their country of origin. The establishment of the National Center Complementary and Alternative Medicine(NCCAM) by the National Institutes of Health is a huge step towards greater acceptance of therapies outside of the medical box.