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정동기 교수팀, 천연물에서 암 치료 열쇠 찾다
Prof. Chung Dong Ki team finds natural anti-cancer substance in Saururus herba and tangerine peels

Jeju habitat plant sambaekcho (Saururus chinensis) and tangerine peels contain substance(s) having anti-cancer stem cell activities, according to the team’s recent research findings.

Professor Chung Dong Ki of the JNU Faculty of Biotechnology Animal Genetic Engineering and Stem Cell Research Laboratory and Dr. Park Yang Ho (Director, BRM Laboratory) isolated BRM270 having potent anti-cancer stem cell activities from Jeju-native sambaekcho (Saururus chinensis) and tangerine peels. The anti-cancer cell activities of the isolated substance(s) were assayed in bone marrow and liver cancer stem cells using the model animals (mouse) for testing.

Research has shown that BRM270 inactivated the cancer cells and suppressed the metastasis of cancer cells.

Chemo-, radiation and targeted monoclonal therapies have often been less than complete in treating various cancers, and one reason for this is that cancer either recurs or shows metastasis to another organs after the treatments. If the anti-cancer stem cell agent found in Professor Chung’s laboratory are further confirmed in its activity, it can be developed as an effective anti-cancer drug, according to the research team leader.

Professor Chung’s research was published in a recent issue of the SCI journal  'International Journal of Oncology'.