Since pancreatic cancer is one of the most feared diagnoses, anything that can destroy pancreatic cancer tumors is welcome news. Scientists have synthesized a substance called minnelide, which is an analog of triptolide. Triptolide is found in the vine Tripterygium wilfordii, also known by the Thor-like name of Thunder God Vine.
Minnelide was tested in three scenarios:
1. pancreatic cancer cells
2. mice who had human pancreatic tumors implanted into them
3. mice who had been genetically engineered to develop pancreatic cancer
Minnelide reduced pancreatic cancer growth and enhanced the survival of the mice.
References:
Preclinical Evaluation of Minnelide as a Therapeutic Agent Against Pancreatic Cancer. (Link)
