 The study of glycoalkaloids as potential anti-cancer agents began with Queensland researcher Bill Cham in the late 1970s.Cham heard reports from farmers that topical application of the Devil's Apple plant was effective in slowing the growth of various skin cancers on horses and cattle.Animal studies and "in vitro" studies showed positive results, however Cham decided to focus his energies on developing the glycoalkaloid mixture, patented as BEC, as a topical cream for non-melanoma skin cancer.