DAISY HOLDS KEY TO CURING LEUKAEMIA; Clinical trials set to start.

Byline: By Natalie Walker

A DAISY-LIKE plant could hold the key to a cure for leukaemia, it was claimed yesterday.

Scientists have developed a drug which can attack the roots of the deadly blood cancer - something even chemotherapy has never been able to do.

They have been investigating the potential cure for nearly five years and are due to begin clinical trials on humans by the end of this year. The key ingredient is dimethylamino-parthenolide (DMAPT), derived from the plant known as feverfew or bachelor's button.

Scientists believe it will selectively target leukaemia at the stem-cell level, where the malignancy is born.

This is significant because standard chemotherapy does not strike deep enough to kill cancer at the roots, thus resulting in relapses.

Clinical trials are expected to begin in Britain by the end of the year.

Scientists plan to initially enrol about a dozen adult volunteers diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia or other types of blood or lymph cancers.

The research has been conducted by US scientists at the University of Rochester, in the state of New York.

Team leader Monica Guzman said: "Once we begin seeing evidence from the clinical trials, it will be easier to figure out its potential for other cancers."

The drug has also shown potential as a treatment for breast and prostate cancer, melanoma, and multiple myeloma following several studies using it on cell cultures.

Ken Campbell, of the charity Leukaemia Research, said that about 24,500 people were diagnosed with blood cancers in Britain every year.

He added: "It could be several years before we know how effective it will be. But the research is very promising."

CAPTION(S):

KEY: The feverfew plant