For many, the magnolia tree/shrub is known and grown for its beautiful, showy, sweet-smelling flowers. Yet, within this beauty, lays an even greater treasure, the cure to head and neck cancers.1 According to a breakthrough study by researchers in Alabama, a phytochemical honokiol, offers a chemotherapeutic effect on a form of cancers in this region known as head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. This means it stops the growth of cancerous tumors, and may be as effective as chemotherapy, without the rigors and harsh side effects.2
Background
Head and neck squamous carcinomas (HNSCC) are common cancers seen globally,3 with an increased prevalence in men and people over the age of 50.4 Certain cancers in this region like the brain, eye, esophagus, thyroid gland, scalp, skin muscles, and bones are not usually classified as head and neck cancers.5 Alcohol and tobacco use are the biggest risk factors, but other factors include salted or preserved foods, poor oral health, human papillomavirus (HPV), and Chinese ancestry.6
Current therapies
While improved technology has revolutionized traditional therapies, this has not been reflected in the overall survival rate of HNSCC. For over the past 30 years, the mortality rate has stayed a constant 50%, with no sign of decreasing.7 Current forms of treatment include normal chemotherapy, as well as surgical resection, which remove the tumor.8 Notwithstanding these can be toxic to the body, increasing drug resistance, and impairing the individual’s ability to speak and swallow.9 Thus, seeking alternative and adjunct therapies is beneficial and a much needed necessity. A valuable treatment method should guarantee better patients’ outcomes, enhanced quality of life, as well as lower levels of drug toxicity.
Previous research has targeted epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).10 What exactly is EGFR you may ask? A protein found on the cell surface, which binds to epidermal growth factor (EGF), to stimulate cell growth, differentiation and maturation. Binding to EGFR brings on receptor dimerization and tyrosine autophosphorylation, basically undergoing mechanisms that result in cell proliferation.11 Overexpression of EGFR is seen in a large majority of HNSCC (90%), and has been linked with worsened clinical outcomes of patients with HNSCC.12 This makes sense as increased numbers of EGFR will provide ample amount of cancerous cell growth and proliferation. This has been the focus of both approved and investigational drugs, which have fared poorly as a result of drug toxicity and resistance.13 This has led to the search for natural and effective options that exist around us such as phytochemicals like honokiol.
