Dr. Liubov Shynkarenko Sichel is a leading Ukrainian microbiologist and co-founder, chief scientific officer (CSO), and chief executive officer (CEO) of Stellar Biotics LLC. She is responsible for the development of del-IMMUNE V®, a powerful nutritional supplement containing cell wall fragments from a unique strain of bacteria, Lactobacillus rhamnosus DV, one of the most effective microbial cell lysates used to treat a range of conditions in both humans and animals. Read more about her impressive career here.
Q: How and when did Lactobacillus first begin to be studied for cancer?
A: In the early 1960s, a Bulgarian researcher named Dr. Ivan Bogdanov discovered that structural fragments of the species Lactobacillus bulgaricus (now known as Lactobacillus delbrueckii) could influence tumor cell growth. He began to work with Soviet research institutes to support his discovery. In 1980, the USSR created a State R&D program, which included Russian and Ukrainian scientists, to research bacterial cell fragments for use in medicine. At that time, people in some regions had been intuitively using fermented milk products for digestive problems and beauty treatments for skin and hair.
Q: What was your involvement in this early work with Lactobacillus?
A: I began working at the biopharmaceutical company Enzymes, Ltd. in 1979, and our company was chosen as the primary organization for the State program in which we worked on developing products for protection against acute infections and cancers. I was the coordinator/leader of the team from the Enzymes group, Head of Central R&D laboratories and pilot plants, and, for my last two years at Enzymes, Ltd., Vice Director General.
We discovered that not only did probiotic cell fragments support healthy immune function—they also offered cells protection from radiation damage and mutagenic activity, which meant they protected the genetic material within the cells from radiation. After we tested multiple types of bacterial microorganisms in the lab, it became clear that Lactobacillus was the safest and most effective option. Some other bacterial cultures were biologically effective with higher harvests but had very strong toxicity.
Q: There are claims that Lactobacillus was used on humans in the immediate aftermath of the Chernobyl tragedy to help with health issues. Can you provide more context and discuss how the findings were interpreted?
A: This is untrue, as this work was still in its infancy when the Chernobyl tragedy happened. During that time, some scientific institutions were testing substances from a few Lactobacillus strains for efficacy and safety. The safest and most effective of these were sent to the leading scientific labs specializing in different medical areas, working with cancer and tumor models, infections (bacterial, viral, fungal), cardiovascular models, and immunological issues. At this time in the 80s, research was done in vitro (in a petri dish or test tube) and in vivo on animals.
After pre-clinical testing, the most effective and safe substances were obtained through different technological manufacturing methods. The decision was made to focus on three final medical products based on L. delbrueckii strains 86 and LE:
Lactoflor, a probiotic product that contains live cells;
Extrabiol, a probiotic lysate (a fluid containing the contents of broken cells, like the cell wall and DNA fragments) and del-IMMUNE V®’s direct predecessor;
Blasten (Liasten), made of pure cell wall derivatives (muramyl penta-peptides + DNA fragments).
In the 1990s, conducting some limited human testing as case studies became possible. During the collapse of the USSR, the State program to conduct this research was dissolved, and the technological and biomedical research was continued in Ukraine.
Today, after being approved by the Ukrainian Ministry of Health as a breast cancer treatment agent, Liasten is still being researched for its possible use in treating various tumor types, infectious diseases, chronic cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, and other health disorders involving the immune system.
Q: What was the main goal of the L. delbrueckii research during the Cold War?
A: The main goal was to use it to protect people against radiation, infection, etc. So, the finished products were included in different medical treatments, including cancer treatments and treatments for viral, bacterial, and fungal infections in conjunction with antibiotics and other medicinal products.
Q: When and how did you begin to work with the species L. rhamnosus?
A: In 1999, a new strain was isolated from fermented medicinal herbs in a Ukraine Biotechnology faculty lab that I had newly organized. After testing its properties, it was identified as species L. rhamnosus and strain LB3. This strain, LB3, was used to develop a new product type—a probiotic lysate that, after testing, showed widespread and potent immune system regulation and activity similar to the product Extrabiol (mentioned above). The work being done with L. rhamnosus today is a direct descendant of our R&D work with L. delbrueckii.
Q: How are you carrying on the legacy of this vital work today?
A: Today, I continue to conduct advanced research on probiotic strains of lactic acid bacteria, their metabolites, and their structural composition for developing advanced biotherapeutic formulations for human and animal use. Currently, I am leading research studies to support the development of new formulations that combine del-IMMUNE V® with other recognized and innovative therapeutics for cancer treatments, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic disorders. I am proud to say that del-IMMUNE V® has garnered a wide fanbase that includes doctors and health practitioners, in addition to regular consumers, all around the U.S. and many other countries like Canada, Australia, and more!
