SH003

SH003 is a novel herbal medicine composed of three herbal extracts: Astragalus membranaceus, Angelica gigas, and Trichosanthes kirilowii in a 1:1:1 ratio. It has shown promising anticancer effects in various preclinical studies and has undergone clinical trials to evaluate its safety. ## Composition and Formulation SH003 contains extracts from three herbs, each with its own therapeutic properties according to traditional East Asian and Korean medicine. The formulation is produced as tablets, with each tablet containing 800 mg of total material, consisting of 400 mg of blended solid extract from the three herbs[2]. ## Mechanisms of Action SH003 exhibits multiple anticancer mechanisms: 1. **Inhibition of STAT3 Signaling**: SH003 decreases STAT3 phosphorylation and blocks nuclear translocation of STAT3, inhibiting the STAT3-IL-6 autocrine loop in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)[1]. 2. **Induction of Apoptosis and Autophagy**: SH003 induces programmed cell death and autophagy in cancer cells, particularly in p53-mutant TNBC through p73-mediated apoptosis[1]. 3. **Anti-angiogenic Properties**: SH003 inhibits tumor angiogenesis by suppressing the formation of new blood vessels to tumors, which is crucial for tumor growth and metastasis[3]. 4. **Reversal of Drug Resistance**: SH003 can overcome drug resistance by reducing the expression of multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) and multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRPs), and by down-regulating P-glycoprotein (P-gp)[5]. 5. **Immune Enhancement**: SH003 activates immune cells such as natural killer cells, macrophages, and splenocytes, and increases splenic lymphocyte proliferation[3]. ## Clinical Development SH003 has undergone Phase I clinical trials to evaluate its safety: - A Phase I study confirmed the maximum tolerated dose for SH003 administration alone to be up to 4800 mg daily[1][6]. - Another clinical trial established safety at doses up to 9600 mg per day in patients with solid cancers[2]. - A clinical trial to determine the maximum tolerated dose when administered in combination with docetaxel has also been conducted[1]. ## Efficacy in Cancer Models SH003 has demonstrated efficacy in various cancer models: - **Breast Cancer**: SH003 inhibits the growth of various breast cancer cell lines, including luminal A, luminal B, HER2, and TNBC subgroups[1]. - **Triple-Negative Breast Cancer**: SH003 shows particular promise for TNBC treatment by causing apoptotic cell death and autophagy[1]. - **Synergistic Effects**: When combined with docetaxel, SH003 shows synergistic anticancer effects by inhibiting EGFR activation in TNBC[7]. ## Safety Profile Clinical trials have shown that SH003 is generally well-tolerated: - In a Phase I study with 11 patients, all observed adverse events were grade 2 or less, with no dose-limiting toxicities reported[6]. - The safety profile supports further investigation of SH003 as a potential anticancer treatment. SH003 represents a promising herbal medicine with multiple anticancer mechanisms and a favorable safety profile, warranting further clinical investigation to confirm its efficacy in cancer therapy.

Other names

SH003 herbal medicineSH-003 herbal medicineSH 003 herbal medicine