Garden flower promises leukaemia breakthrough

A common garden flower could save the lives of thousands of people with leukaemia, it has been claimed.

An extract from the gypsophila plant, known as Baby's Breath, has been shown by scientists at the Simon Flavell Research Laboratory in Southampton to be effective at breaking down the membrane of leukaemia cells.

It is hoped that this breakthrough will lead to the creation of more effective treatments, as antibodies will have a better chance of killing cells.

However, the researchers stressed that it could take several years before new drugs are ready, adding that it remains unclear what effects gypsophila could have on human tissue.

Dr David Flavell, who founded the Leukaemia Busters charity with his wife Bee after their son Simon died from the disease, was cautiously optimistic though.

"I am usually careful about the words I use with things like this but this discovery could truly revolutionise the way these antibody-based drugs work and it will save lives," he said.

"And this doesn't just apply to leukaemia, there is a really big possibility this can be used for many cancers too."

Leukaemia Busters focuses its research on developing new methods and techniques to ensure treatments can be made as safe and painless as possible.

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