Neoplasene is a botanical remedy for cancer, made by extracting sanguinarine from the bloodroot plant. In a 2000 study done by researchers at Case Western Reserve University published in the American Association for Cancer Research journal, the authors state that it has "antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties." (Reference 1 graf 1.) Neoplasene is used to treat several types of cancer in dogs, including nasal cancer.
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Studies
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The Case Western Reserve University study found that sanguinarine inhibited the growth of cancerous tumors through apoptosis, meaning the cancer cells die gradually. (Reference 1 Results and Discussion.) The researchers stated that it "possesses a potential for development as an agent for cancer chemotherapy" (Reference 1 last graf) and some veterinarians who use neoplasene for cancer in dogs and other animals have reported successful outcomes. (Reference 2.)
Types
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Neoplasene can be administered orally with a liquid or capsule, injected by your veterinarian or applied as a salve. (Reference 3.) If the nasal cancer is accessible, applying the neoplasene directly to the tumor can make it slough off. If it's too far up the nasal cavity to be accessible, your veterinarian may use injectable or oral neoplasene. (Based on personal experience/research and reading the case histories in reference 2. And on numerous forum discussions re neoplasene and nasal cancer specifically, but these are not acceptable references...) Your veterinarian may use neoplasene as a complementary treatment along with other medications or procedures.
Considerations
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Discuss the use of neoplasene for your dog's nasal cancer with your veterinarian. Neoplasene is only available though your vet, and the method of treatment will depend on the type and location of the cancer. Treating cancer with neoplasene requires home care as well as office visits. You may have to change dressing frequently and keep the area clean. When given orally, you may have to follow a special diet and entice your dog to take the neoplasene, because it is extremely bitter.
Misconceptions
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Neoplasene is a corrosive "black salve" or escharotic cancer treatment, and there are numerous such products on the market. Dr. Stephen Barrett, who runs the quackwatch website, warns that although escharotics can destroy cancerous tumors, they can also leave severe scars, or remove the tumor on the surface of the skin, but not address growing cancer below the skin. (Reference 5 mostly graf 5.)
Warning
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Neoplasene has not been tested or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine for treating cancer or abnormal growths, and is an experimental, or complementary treatment. It should not be used on pregnant dogs, and should not be applied to healthy tissue. (Reference 4 under drugs, and the disclaimer for the products in reference 3.)
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