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Apr 15, 2020

‘Exciting’ anti-cancer compound discovered in the humble willow

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

More than a century after giving the world aspirin, another potential drug has been found in the stem and leaves of willows—this time with anti-cancer properties.

Scientists led from Rothamsted Research, working with biologists at the University of Kent have discovered the chemical, miyabeacin, which has been found to kill various cancer , including those resistant to other drugs.

Of particular excitement is its activity against neuroblastoma, a hard to treat and common childhood cancer where the overall survival rate is below 50%.

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