Botanic Oil Innovations Funds Human Clinical Study Using Non-Toxic Salmonella as Cancer Medicine

SPOONER, Wis., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Salmonella bacteria is normally very toxic when ingested, even deadly. However, scientists have found a way to prevent it from causing illness and instead kill cancer cells. Salmonella likes to live within cancerous cells – a medical oddity first observed in the 1890s, but only recently exploited with the development of genetic engineering and non toxic Salmonella variations.

• Genetically-modified Salmonella "eats" cancer cells yet does not cause illness

Numerous research centers around the world have been studying modified Salmonella. But a research team at the University of Minnesota has developed a version that includes Interleukin-2 (IL-2), a human immune response gene. This novel version seeks out and attacks cancer cells while triggering the body's immune system to fight the cancer cells as well.

• Modified Salmonella, when combined with the human immune response gene IL-2, creates a non-toxic "Trojan Horse" to more effectively kill cancer cells

Dr. Daniel Saltzman, MD PhD, co-inventor of the Minnesota treatment, has tested the new approach in the laboratory, with positive results. In pre-clinical trials, tumor cell volumes were reduced an average of 55%. Prevention model tests done in combination with a change in diet* have shown even more striking results:

• Cancer cells were completely eliminated in 40% of test subjects; and the remaining 60% averaged a 90% reduction in tumor size

The combination Salmonella-IL-2 treatment is delivered in a single oral dose and does not appear to have any harmful side effects. Because of the positive results from the laboratory -- and the apparent lack of toxicity -- the FDA granted approval to begin testing on human patients at the University of Minnesota.

• The Salmonella-IL-2 human trial is underway, focusing on patients with advanced cancers that have spread to the liver

Saltzman's research on this unique anti-cancer therapy has been funded by a combination of grants and donations, and by a novel cancer drug discovery venture, Botanic Oil Innovations, Inc. While the research team believes the Salmonella-IL-2 laboratory results are promising, they are careful to note that it is not yet proven in humans, and they are not predicting its success until the conclusion of the first human clinical trial, likely later in 2010.

*These experiments involved the introduction of fruit and herb seed oils to provide a natural nutritional boost to the immune system.

About Botanic Oil Innovations (BOI)

BOI, founded in 1999, has a patent pending for a cancer therapy currently in clinical trials. The company is also committed to helping people manage their health and well being through the development of nutritional and immune-boosting products derived from sustainable, all natural plant sources. For more information please visit www.botanicoil.com.

SOURCE Botanic Oil Innovations