UCO Researchers Study Dandelions’ Potential To Treat Cancer

A plant many of us try to remove from our yards is useful for researchers at the University of Central Oklahoma. They are testing if dandelions could treat cancer.  

Faculty leaders said future doctors learn the best from real-world experience. However, this effort grows beyond the science and into the hearts of people behind the microscope. 

Dandelions grow to the chagrin of backyard gardeners and the delight of researchers at UCO. Biology Professor Mel Vaughan can tell anyone everything about the cells that make up each person. “That’s near and dear to my heart,” said Vaughan, as he described his passion for cell and cancer research. 

Cancer makes Vaughan think of his late brother -- Bobby.  “January of this year [is] when he passed away,” Vaughan said. 

Future doctor Hannah Tran thinks of her grandfather who died from pancreatic cancer. “It’s something that we really wanna fight,” Tran said. “I just want people to not experience this devastation.” 

Their personal stories form the roots of their research to study Dandelions’ potential to treat cancer. “What we found was that HeLa cells are impacted greatly by dandelion extract,” Vaughan said. 

This lab work provided roadmaps that revealed a promising direction, but there is so much more to learn. “It’s not enough where we’re able to make any conclusive thoughts,” Tran said. “[We are] learning more about treating cancers in general – have treatment methods and cures that we’re able to apply.” 

One of nature's misfits might blossom into a healthier future in medicine. “That’s quite rewarding,” Vaughan said. 

Vaughan and Tran said this research will be passed on to other scientists to see if Dandelions carry more potential. UCO researchers said this study is the earliest stage -- but they hope it will one day make it to a clinical trial.