The controversial New Zealand mussel extract falsely promoted as a cancer cure is about to be tested as an asthma treatment in Auckland children.
The trial, which will be funded by Lyprinol's manufacturer Pharmalink, will compare the green-lipped mussel extract with a placebo in 120 children aged 6 to 12
with moderate-to-severe asthma.
The researchers, led by Asthma New Zealand's Dr Allen Liang, will begin recruiting children to take part in the study as soon as it has received ethics committee approval.
Asthma New Zealand's deputy chief executive Janette Reid said Pharmalink approached the organisation around 18 months ago to tell them about the potential anti-asthmatic properties of Lyprinol.
On the basis of some promising results from a small, Pharmalink-funded study in adult volunteers with mild-to-moderate asthma, Asthma New Zealand decided to collaborate with Pharmalink in the study.
"Pharmalink believe that it will have greater benefit with children," said Ms Reid.
Lyprinol was wrongly touted as a miracle cancer cure in 1999. A media and consumer storm was followed by fines and censure for a Lyprinol distributor and a maker of mussel extract products. The media were also criticised for sensationalist reporting.
Lyprinol, which is not a registered medicine in New Zealand, was relaunched last year with new packaging that clearly states the extract is a dietary supplement that supports and maintains healthy joints and general mobility and healthy airways.
Lead researcher Dr Liang was understanding of the scepticism that may greet any other therapeutic claims regarding Lyprinol.
"That's why we're not saying whether it's good or bad yet. We don't know yet."
However, a recent advertisement in the NZ Journal of Respiratory Health was less neutral about the properties of Lyprinol.
Under the title "Wow! A first for New Zealand", the advertisement said the study was being conducted "in the belief the children receiving the Lyprinol will benefit, symptomatically and in their quality of life".
Pharmalink spokesman John Waitzer said that the study, despite being funded by the drug company, was independent research conducted by researchers without any affiliations with the drug company.
Pharmalink has promised that the results will be published whether or not they show Lyprinol in a favourable light.
- HERALD ON SUNDAY
The controversial New Zealand mussel extract falsely promoted as a cancer cure is about to be tested as an asthma treatment in Auckland children.
The trial, which will be funded by Lyprinol's manufacturer Pharmalink, will compare the green-lipped mussel extract with a placebo in 120 children aged 6 to 12
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