"Tobacco cures cancer." We might be reading this headline one day soon. After years of scientific studies, charges, counter charges and law suits which all but decimated tobacco, removing it from American life, there is now exciting new evidence that the tobacco plant might hold the key to a cure for cancer. Research being conducted in Australia has proven that a molecule – NaD1 -- is a known cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAP) which can help the immune system fight off invaders (cancer cells). Similar research has been done on targeting cancer cells in the past but all the cells surrounding the tumor were indiscriminately destroyed in the process. Chemotherapy often leaves a patient vulnerable and weak because of the destruction to the immune system.
Doctor Mark Hulett is the chief investigator of this exciting breakthrough. La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science recently released a report with the findings of Dr. Hulett and his team of scientists in Australia. The particular molecule forms a pincer-like structure around the lipids including the membrane of the cancer cells. It rips them open, they burst spilling their contents and die. Dr. Hulett is looking into other applications for NaD1 as a possible antibiotic treatment for antimicrobial infections such as fungus. It seems ironic that the great tobacco villain may contain the best defense mechanism to eradicate cancer. While the plant being studied is not the smoking kind, it comes from the same family. The NaD1 molecule was identified in Nicotiana alata, a flowering tobacco plant used for decorative purposes.
On a personal level, I was excited to read about this research because one of my cousins was a scientist, a microbiologist who focused his research on plants. We know that aspirin comes from the willow tree and certain antimicrobial treatments include Melaleuca or Tea Tree oil as well as aloe are being hailed for their special healing properties. My cousin had devoted his life to the search for a cure. Now he is gone but his dream of demolishing cancer may become a reality. Clinical trials of NaD1 will most likely take years. One day hopefully, we will be able to take another look at the Pilgrim's first crop – tobacco – and applaud its benefits. That will be the high point of the 21st century, nothing less.
