BJD CONCISE COMMUNICATION British Journal of Dermatology The sap from Euphorbia peplus is effective against human nonmelanoma skin cancers J.R. Ramsay, A. Suhrbier,* J.H. Aylward,à S. Ogbourne,* S.-J. Cozzi,* M.G. Poulsen, K.C. Baumann, P. Welburn,à G.L. Redlichà and P.G. Parsons* Mater Radiation Oncology Centre, Brisbane, Qld, Australia *Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Post Office Royal Brisbane Hospital, Brisbane, Qld 4029, Australia Griffith Medical Research College, Griffith University, Brisbane, Qld, Australia àPeplin Biotech Ltd, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
Summary
Correspondence Background The sap from Euphorbia peplus, commonly known as petty spurge in the Andreas Suhrbier. U.K. or radium weed in Australia, has been used as a traditional treatment for a E-mail: [email protected] number of cancers. Objective To determine the effectiveness of E. peplus sap in a phase I ⁄II clinical study Accepted for publication 25 November 2010 for the topical treatment of basal cell carcinomas (BCC), squamous cell carcin- omas (SCC) and intraepidermal carcinomas (IEC). Funding sources Methods Thirty-six patients, who had refused, failed or were unsuitable for con- This work was conducted with financial assistance ventional treatment, were enrolled in a phase I ⁄II clinical study. A total of 48 from Peplin Biotech Pty Ltd and an Australian skin cancer lesions were treated topically with 100–300 lLofE. peplus sap once Commonwealth Government Industry Research and daily for 3 days. Development Board R&D START grant. Results The complete clinical response rates at 1 month were 82% (n = 28) for Conflicts of interest BCC, 94% (n = 16) for IEC and 75% (n = 4) for SCC. After a mean follow-up of J.H.A. and G.L.R. were, and P.W. and S.O. 15 months these rates were 57%, 75% and 50%, respectively. For superficial are currently, employees of Peplin Inc. (formerly lesions < 16 mm, the response rates after follow-up were 100% for IEC Peplin Biotech Pty Ltd). J.R.R., A.S. and P.G.P. (n = 10) and 78% for BCC (n = 9). were consultants to Peplin Biotech Pty Ltd. Peplin Inc. is now wholly owned by LEO Pharma. Conclusions The clinical responses for these relatively unfavourable lesions (43% had failed previous treatments, 35% were situated in the head and neck region DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2010.10184.x and 30% were > 2 cm in diameter), are comparable with existing nonsurgical treatments. An active ingredient of E. peplus sap has been identified as ingenol mebutate (PEP005). This clinical study affirms community experience with E. peplus sap, and supports further clinical development of PEP005 for the treat- ment of BCC, SCC and IEC.
The spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) contains around 7500 Materials and methods plant species, with several traditionally used for medicinal purposes. Euphorbia peplus, commonly known as petty spurge in Patients the U.K. or radium weed in Australia, has a long history of use for a variety of conditions. The sap from this plant has Consenting patients were recruited from individuals attending been used as a purgative and as a treatment for warts, corns, the Radiation Oncology Mater Centre outpatients department waxy growths, asthma, catarrh, skin cancers, and cancers of during 2000–2. Ethical approval was obtained from the Mater the stomach, liver and uterus.1,2 A single case of the home Adults Hospital Ethics committee; Peplin Biotech Pty Ltd spon- treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) has been reported,3 sored the trial. Patients entering the study had one or more and in a survey of home remedies for skin cancer and solar histologically confirmed BCC, intraepidermal carcinomas (IEC) keratoses, topical treatment with the sap was unanimously or squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). The study was restricted considered to be effective by the users.4 The long history of to patients who had failed previous treatments (surgery, radio- community use with the absence of documented side-effects, therapy, fluorouracil 5% cream and ⁄or liquid nitrogen) and except in cases of accidental ocular exposure,5 permitted the refused surgical treatment (43%), and patients who were initiation of a phase I ⁄II trial of topical E. peplus sap for non- deemed unsuitable for surgical treatments (due to multiple melanoma skin cancer. nature and site of the lesions, age, anticoagulant use and other