A Pilot Study of Soursop Tea in Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) or Multiple Myeloma (MM)

Summary

Purpose/Specific Aims The study will determine if there is a reduction in malignant cell burden when patients with relapsed and/or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or multiple myeloma (MM) consume tea made from the dried leaves of Annona muricata (Soursop). The study goal is to determine the safety and anti-neoplastic efficacy of Annona muricata tea when taken in escalating frequency over a period of 21 days by patients with relapsed/refractory AML or MM for whom there are no standard therapeutic options.

Detailed Description

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and Multiple Myeloma (MM) are aggressive blood cancers. The median age of patients diagnosed with AML is between 65 and 70 years old and, despite recent advances in the management, most studies demonstrate less than 25% 5-year survival of patients over age 60. Likewise, although there have been extraordinary breakthroughs in the care of patients with MM, most patients with MM currently ultimately die of their disease. Annona muricata is a plant that is native to Central and South America and found also in parts of the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Africa. It is known by various names throughout the world (soursop, gravioloa, guanabana, paw paw, nangka balanda, and others). Seeds, fruit and leaves from the plant have all been used to treat a variety of diseases and ailments. The leaves are acuminate with a dark green upper surface and extracts include a variety of pharmacologically active classes of molecules (acetogenins, alkaloids, flavonoids) and a variety of their secondary products. This pilot study is designed to determine if there is any signal of anti-neoplastic activity when patients with refractory/relapsed AML or MM with no standard therapeutic options available consume soursop tea.

Eligibility Criteria

Interventions