Side Effects of Neoplasene
Neoplasene, or bloodroot, is a somewhat new cancer medication intended for veterinary use. Although the Food and Drug Administration has issued a ban against neoplasene's use in humans, cancer patients have acquired it and used it as an herbal remedy with mixed results, according to The SkeptVet.
The herb's side effects can be extreme enough to render it too dangerous a treatment option.
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Significance
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Neoplasene comes from the red-colored sap of bloodroot, or Sanguinaria canadensis. The herb has been used, particularly by Native Americans, purely as a dye, or medicinally to induce vomiting (an emetic) and wart removal. As a cancer treatment, neoplasene is incorporated into black salve, a caustic escharotic cream.
Function
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In treating cancer, in either animals or humans, neoplasene is administered topically to visible tumors. According to Canine Cancer Monthly, it is claimed that the cancer cells are destroyed by the alkaloids in bloodroot. Healthy tissue is left untouched. Some veterinarians are on record touting the efficacy of neoplasene, including Dr. Michele Yasson of Kingston, New York; Dr. Jill Elliot of New York City; and Dr. Gerald Buchoff of West Paterson, New Jersey.
Effects
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Whereas veterinary proponents of neoplasene report that it necessarily burns the cancer tissue leaving healing scabs that show no sign of cancer, detractors warn that tissue is burned severely causing tissue death in humans and animals alike. The cancer remains in many cases and sometimes the neoplasene encourages its spread. Extremely large scabs, known as eschars, are sometimes the result, with extensive damage done to healthy tissue. Studies, such as one presented in the journal "Dermatology" in 2002 by S. McDaniel and G.D. Goldman, warn of the danger of escharotic agents such as neoplasene.
Neoplasene's Efficacy
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Doctors and veterinarians who believe in neoplasene's efficacy claim the escharotic is capable of distinguishing between cancer cells and healthy cells. However, according to The SkeptVet, no clincal proof exists for this. Some early research has demonstrated that agents like neoplasene can destroy any kind of cell. Also, a study in "Clinical Cancer Research," from 2000, indicates an ability for neoplasene to destroy diseased cells more effectively than healthy ones in culture.
Considerations
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With the FDA banning both the importation and marketing of bloodroot and similar such products for the treatment of cancer, the dangerous effects of these agents are emphasized. Nevertheless, this aescharotic can be ordered on the Internet and a pro-neoplasene contingent of veterinarians is backing their use.
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