VA Clinical Trial of Turmeric Lozenge Shows Promising Results in Combating Oral Cancer

It’s practically impossible to eat or speak without a tongue. And for those who developed oral cancer the options resorted to surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation all of which effected the ability to speak and eat.

But, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s coming from right here in Building 304.

Up on the second floor is group of scientists, Dr. Marilene Wang, Dr. Eri Srivatsan and Dr. Saroj Basak, have started clinical trials with a drug called APG-157 that is made out of the turmeric plant.

APG-157 is a novel drug on several levels. It is a multi-agent, multi-targeted drug derived from Curcuma longa plant. The safety and anti-cancer properties of the plant and its principal molecule, curcumin, are well established.

“The drug, that comes in the form of a gummy lozenge has been given to newly diagnosed, locally advanced patients (stage 1-4) with oral or oropharyngeal (throat) cancer before other treatments. It has shown to reduce tumors, thus lessening the need for extensive surgery and intensive therapies,” Wang said.

About the Turmeric Lozenge

“Pilot data suggests that the APG-157 induces selective cancer cell death, activates the immune system, and modulates the dysbiosis of oral microbiome in cancer patients,” Srivatsan said.

The drug comes in 100 mg pastilles that dissolve in the mouth which provides higher absorption than swallowing.

A problem with swallowing is that as much as 60% of the components quickly disintegrate in the stomach. A lozenge overcomes the insoluble nature of compounds in turmeric, and prevents their degradation.

In addition to curcumin, the lozenges provide other active molecules that exist in Turmeric and the combined action among these molecules provides higher efficacy.

He Calls It a Miracle Drug

To Stephen Smothermum the lozenge was a life saver. He participated in the study a couple of months ago and has seen the results.

“I went to have some dental work done, and they found a tumor on my mandible next to my teeth, Smothermum said. “The VA biopsied the pea-size tumor and found it to be cancer.”

Smothenmum was told that he would have to have a marginal mandibulectomy which meant cutting into and some of the jaw. While waiting for the surgery he joined the study and began taking the lozenge.

“For a month before the operation I was taking two lozenges three time a day and hour before eating. When I got into the operating room, the surgeon and nurses were all surprised,” Smothermum said.

The tumor shrunk and all they to do is scrape it. To me it was a miracle,” Smothermum said. “This stuff is amazing. It has a pain relieving effect also.”

About the Study

“Oral cancer affects the tongue, mouth, and throat. It’s common in people who smoke or have the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV),” said Wang. “If you can imagine surgery of the mouth or tongue is painful and the recovery is long. Patients have a hard time eating or speaking. We found APG-157 to shrink small oral tumors and possibly stabilize growth of large ones”

The trial has Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval and is dealing with a type of squamous cell carcinoma.

While most cancer studies combine the trial drug with standard of care therapies, this is a “window of
opportunity” trial, in which patients will receive APG- 157 four to six weeks before receiving other treatments.

What Is Turmeric

Turmeric, a plant in the ginger family. It is a common spice and is used curry. Historically, turmeric was
used in Ayurveda and other traditional Indian medical systems, as well as Eastern Asian medical systems such as traditional Chinese medicine.