New Study suggests avocados could help treat leukemia
Avocados are not only rich, creamy and overall delicious, they are also a packed with a multitude of vitamins, minerals and good fats.
Many nutrition experts say avocado is one of the healthiest foods we could eat and we should eat them regularly to help fight numerous health problems.
The list of amazing benefits of avocado is very long.
Recently, a new study revealed that a lipid in avocados could help treat leukemia.
Paul Spagnulo, a professor at the University of Waterloo, has announced the discovery of a lipid in avocado that helps fight acute myeloid leukemia.
According to professor Spagnulo, the lipid in avocado targets the root of the disease, which are the leukemic stem cells.
There are very few treatments available at the moment that can target leukemia stem cells.
Reports show that acute myeloid leukemia is fatal for more than 90% of patients over the age of 65.
Professor Spagnulo said that the next step is to create a new drug derived from the avocado lipid that could help increase the life expectancy of patients who suffer from this type of deadly disease.
He explained that the stem cells are the cells responsible for this type of leukemia. The stem cells are also the reason why many patients that have this disease relapse.
Professor Spagnulo said he has conducted numerous tests to determine how the new drug based on the lipid from avocados could work on a molecular level.
According to the findings of his tests, the new drug can target the stem cells, without affecting the healthy cells.
The scientist published his findings in the journal Cancer Research.
He also filed a patent that allows him to use the compound as a treatment for acute myeloid leukemia.
The new compound was named avocatin B.
The researchers said that avocatin B could be used to eliminate the source of acute myeloid leukemia.
Although it would probably be years until the new drug gets approved for oncologic use, Spagnulo is already studying the compound to prepare it for a Phase I clinical test.
Phase I is the first round of trials where patients with acute myeloid leukemia will try the new drug.
