Boswellia Proven to Destroy Cancer Cells

Disclaimer: The research reports cited below prove that these products can destroy cancer cells. There is no proof that they also work on PVNS tumors, although a few people experimenting with these substances are reporting a reduction in tumor sizes over a period of several months. 

An extract of Boswellia, AKBA (acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid), a chemical compound of the resin of the Frankincense tree, has been proven to destroy ovarian cancer cells that are resistant to chemotherapy, according to researchers at the University of Leicester in the UK.

Boswellia is available over the counter as a supplement. Dr. Weil has the following information about it.

Clinical trials have demonstrated that boswellic acids have anti-inflammatory action similar to that of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). However, unlike NSAIDS, long-term use of boswellia does not appear to lead to irritation or ulceration of the stomach.

A few people with PVNS or Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumors in joints, are rubbing Frankincense oil on the affected joints. It might be beneficial to also take a standardized supplement of Boswellia.

I take a standardized form of boswellia and turmeric called Arthrocin by EuroPharma. It's available at IHerb.com and on Amazon.com. Turmeric also has anti-tumor components and has been shown to be effective against colon cancer.

For a period of time I applied Frankincense oil to my affected knee at night. It's difficult to know if the oil penetrates to the tumors, but the oil in inexpensive, so I experimented with it. I used the oil full strength but some are using a carrier oil with it.

Frankincense oil can be derived from the resin or the leaves of the plant and it seems as though the resin contains the active anti-cancer ingredient,

I experimented with Frankincense oil by applying it to a fast growing bump that appeared on my forehead. I applied the oil, full-strength, on the bump and the bump disappeared painlessly in two weeks and hasn't returned.

The oil I used is Edens Garden brand. It is available for about $10.00.

Update: A friend in India, Sandeep Lahane, recommends Himalayan herbal brand available here for Boswellia and here for turmeric. He also notes that boswellia is also known as shallaki and turmeric is also known as haridra. 

Frankincense Effective in Killing Ovarian Cancer Cells, Study

Researchers say that AKBA (acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid), a chemical compound in the resin of the Frankincense tree has cancer-killing properties. It has the potential to destroy ovarian cancer cells.

http://www.universityherald.com/articles/6350/20131220/frankincense-christmas-gift-ovarian-cancer-cells-leicester-university-gum.htm

A Phase IA/IB Study of RO5509554

The patients in this study who will receive RO5509554 alone include those with pigmented villonodular synovitis, tenosynovial giant cell tumor, soft-tissue sarcoma, malignant mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer. RO5509554 will be given with paclitaxel in patients with HER2-negative breast cancer.

http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/trial/14-086

Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumor

Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumor, Case Report and Review

by David R. Lucas, MD

March 30, 2012.



www.archivesofpathology.org/doi/pdf/10.5858/arpa.2012-0165-CR

Trisomy 7 changes found in PVNS

Many forms of cancer are associated with damage to chromosome 7. In particular, changes in this chromosome have been identified in cancers of blood-forming tissue (leukemias) and cancers of immune system cells (lymphomas). A loss of part or all of one copy of chromosome 7 is common in myelodysplastic syndrome, which is a disease of the blood and bone marrow. People with this disorder have an increased risk of developing leukemia. 

More here

Research shows that PVNS is associated with Trisomy 7.

Research abstract here.

Trisomy 5 and Trisomy 7 Found in PVNS

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a proliferative lesion of disputed genesis. Researchers previously reported trisomy 7 in short-term cultures of 1 PVNS and subsequently found another specimen of PVNS in which 9 of 26 (35 percent) metaphase cells demonstrated trisomy 7 when analyzed after 3-15 days of tissue culture. 



Read more here: Trisomy 5 and trisomy 7 are nonrand... [Genes Chromosomes Cancer. 1992] - PubMed - NCBI

Harvard Orthopaedic Journal: Articles

"In our opinion, arthroscopic and limited open techniques (4,20,28) provide inadequate exposure of the knee joint, particularly postero-laterally and in the region of the popliteus tendon. Furthermore, most reports of treatment of DPVNS have small numbers of patients, often collected over a number of years with more than one joint included. (1,2,8,8,12,16,18,22) To the best of our knowledge, no reports in the literature contain large numbers of patients with DPVNS of the knee, with adequate preoperative staging, and long-term clinical or MRI evaluation. (15,17,21)"

The article concludes:  "The results of our study suggest that complete synovectomy is the procedure of choice to decrease the risk of recurrence of DPVNS of the knee. Arthroscopic or limited open techniques or radiotherapy may reduce the amount of DPVNS tissue and associated symptoms in the short term, but will not eradicate the disease. In contrast, an extensile open surgical approach allows excellent visualization for removal of intra-and extra-articular DPVNS tissue with an acceptably low complication rate. We continue to use arthroscopy for pre- or post-operative diagnostic biopsies or treatment of early primary or residual disease following open synovectomy. Our current practice is to assess patients with MRI pre-operatively, three months post-operatively, and annually thereafter." 

Read the entire article here: Harvard Orthopaedic Journal: Articles

Note: I can't locate a date on this article, but the most recent citation at the end of the article is dated 1999, so this Harvard article is more recent than 1999.