CSIRO livestock researchers are exploring extracts of cattle cartilage as a possible potent new weapon in the war on cancer.

A team led by Dr Greg Harper of CSIRO's J.M.Rendel Laboratory in Rockhampton is working to identify special factors in cattle cartilage shown by international research to prevent a cancer from developing a blood supply and spreading round the body.

"Overseas scientists have demonstrated that certain extracts of shark cartilage, injected into tumours, cause them to regress. They appear to inhibit the development of blood vessels to the cancer, which allows them to spread round the body," Dr Harper explains.

Dr Harper's work has found that similar factors occur in cattle cartilage - and Australia produces thousands of tonnes of this from the 7 million cattle processed each year.

CSIRO's commercial partner, Lane Labs in Brisbane, already processes and markets capsules from shark cartilage and are excited about the potential from cattle cartilage. Managing Director, Ms Joanne Hanbrook, says the shark cartilage extract market is already worth $1 billion a year in the US alone, and that supply will not be able to meet the predicted demand.

Talent for interview:

Dr Greg Harper, CSIRO Tropical Agriculture, Rockhampton
phone 07 4923 8156 (work), 07 4926 2473 (home)

Ms Joanne Hanbrook, Lane Labs, Brisbane
For interview contact Rhonda Smith to arrange:
Phone 07 3868 3866 (work), 0414 240 046 (mobile)

Dr Elizabeth Heij, Chief, CSIRO Tropical Agriculture
Phone 07 3377 0217 (work).

Vision opportunity:

Rockhampton: Shots of robotic spinning machines extracting the useful material from cattle cartilage and analysing it with the help of scientists and lab technicians.
Address: CSIRO Beef Research Centre, Bruce Highway (Ibis Avenue), Rockhampton North.
Contact Greg Harper to arrange: phone 07 4923 8156 (work), 07 4926 2473 (home)

Media assistance:
Jenni Metcalfe, phone 07 3846 7111 (work), 07 3878 4173 (home), 014 916 372 (mobile)