Botanicals Research and Cancer: What is Needed for High-impact US Clinical Trials?

Abstract

Many drugs currently used as cancer therapies originated from plant sources and screening of plant extracts for anticancer activity continues to identify novel chemical compounds with such activities. In the U.S., the vast majority of the current investigation of plants as cancer therapeutics is from the perspective of the isolation of these compounds for new drug development. However, some research in and outside the U.S. is exploring the potential for clinical use of plant extracts as anticancer agents. Since this research is infrequent in the U.S., the Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine of the U.S. National Cancer Institute conducted a two day meeting to explore many of the major issues involved in the generation of high-quality research on this topic. The meeting included both plenary presentations and facilitated small group discussions. Among the issues identified were relating to botanical authentication, post-harvest practices, standardization and quality and safety assessments. Other discussions addressed relevant preclinical research, the role of corporations in facilitating research, clinical trials design and implementation as well as NIH grant application and review. This presentation will provide an overview of some of these discussions as well as proposed solutions to address overarching issues.