Noscapine is a natural non-toxic chemical derived from the poppy plant. It has been used in many countries around the world as a cough medication. When used in higher doses, it has been found to kill human cancer cells in a manner similar to chemotherapy, but without the same toxic side effects. In one study, noscapine was found to have “potent anti-tumour activity” against human breast and bladder cancer implanted into rats. It has also been shown to kill glioblastoma, melanoma, and taxane-resistant ovarian cancer. One human study of noscapine was conducted in USA, but was terminated due to lack of funding before any results could be published.

Sept 2009 Update: We have seen only brief responses in cancer patients treated with noscapine (alone and in combination with DCA) using doses ranging from 1000mg per day to 4000mg per day. Since we did not observed any sustained responses, we have suspended our noscapine treatment program. This drug may still have some use, however in our opinion, there are better "off-label" cancer treatments.