A chemical compound derived from the cottonseed oil had showed promise in treating the cancer of head and neck.
Scientist from University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center had found that the chemical compound called gossypol regulates the protein called Bcl-xL, which is found over-expressed in the cancer cells that are found in the head or neck.Head and neck cancers are difficult to treat as they are resistant to chemotherapy. Surgeries on such cases have proved to affect the ability of the patient to talk, swallow or breathe.
The newly effective compound from the cottonseed oil has been able to kill carcinogenic cells to a success rate of 70% to 90%. The treated cell cultures of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with gossypol compound have also been seen to inhibit the growth of tumors.
This new treatment may be like a boon to patients suffering from cancer of head or neck, as there was no previous treatment available that did not cause them any long-term complaints.
The results of the study were published in the journal Clinical Cancer Research.
