Cancer Cure Now

Vitamin A The anticancer effects of retinoids are thought to be due to inhibition of cell proliferation and promotion of cell differentiation.

Recently, researchers have found a possible mechanism of action at the cellular level. Retinoid receptors have been detected on cells, and one study using breast cancer cells showed that retinoids attaching to these receptors influence gene expression and cell proliferation. 1,2

Animal studies have shown the ability of vitamin A, beta-carotene and other retinoids to enhance the immune system, retard tumor growth and decrease the size of established tumors. 2

In 2004, scientists at the Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, tested nearly 130 subjects with severely sun-damaged skin on their forearms and found that one year of supplementation with 50,000 IU of vitamin A daily reduced more than 80 percent of precancerous skin lesions (actinic keratosis). 3

Daily oral administration of high-dose vitamin A is effective in preventing the development of primary tumors related to tobacco consumption and may improve the disease-free interval in patients with surgically resected for Stage I lung cancer.

The average annual second primary tumor rate was 4.8% in a control group given no vitamin A compared to 3.1% in the treatment group, a reduction of 35%. In a group of patients with head and neck tumors, the annual second primary tumor rate was 6.8% (control) versus 3.1% (treatment), a reduction of 54%.4

Komiyama and colleagues from Japan found that Vitamin A increased the RNA inhibitory action of the chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Furthermore, they showed that the triple combination of 5-FU, Vitamin A and cobalt-60 radiation (FAR therapy) for various head and neck tumours produced highly effective synergistic results.5

Note : vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin which can be toxic and even deadly in high doses. The body makes vitamin A from beta-carotene, which is covered separately. Even doses slightly in excess of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of approximately 10,000 IU can produce symptoms of toxicity in some people. High doses should be administered only for short periods under medical supervision. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1). Baumann KH, Clarke R. Effects of all-trans retinoic acid on proliferation and gene expression of human breast cancer cells in vitro [abstract 1643]. Proc Annu Meet Am Assoc Cancer Res 1994;35:275. (2). Kaegi E, on behalf of the Task Force on Alternative Therapies of the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Initiative. Unconventional therapies to cancer: Vitamins A, C, and E. Canadian Medical Association 1998; 158:1483-88. (3). Alberts David ; Ranger-Moore James  ; Einspahr Janine  ; Saboda Kathylynn ; Bozzo Paul  ; Yun Liu ; Xu Xiao-Chun ; Lotan Reuben ; Warneke James  ; Salasche Stuart  ; Stratton Suzanne  ; Levine Norman  ; Goldman Rayna  ; Islas Marcy  ; Duckett Laura  ; Thompson Deborah ; Bartels Peter Safety and efficacy of dose-intensive oral vitamin A in subjects with sun-damaged skin Clinical cancer research   ISSN 1078-0432 2004 Vol. 10 (4). Pastorino U, et al. Adjuvant treatment of Stage I lung cancer with high-dose vitamin A. J Clin Oncol 1993 July;11(7):1216-1222 (5). Komiyama S et al. Synergistic combination therapy of 5-fluorouracil, vitamin A, and cobalt-60 radiation for head and neck tumors - antitumor combination therapy with vitamin A.  Auris Nasus Larynx. 12(Suppl 2): S239-43. 1985.

Vitamin A Derivatives Nakagawa and colleagues from Japan reported on the combination of retinol palmitate (RP) with six different anticancer agents on ascites sarcoma or leukemia in mice. With ascites sarcoma, RP considerably enhanced the antitumour activity of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) methotrexate (MTX) and 1-(4-amino-2-mthyl-5-pyrimidinyl)methyl-3- (2-chlorethyl) -3-nitrosourea (ACNU), but not the action of adriamycin (ADM) or 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP). Against leukemia, RP enhanced antitumour activity of 6-MP. MTX, ADM, ACNU and cis-dichlorodiammine- platinum (CDDP), but not of 5-FU.1 El Attar and Lin from University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry studied the effects of retinoid and carotenoid compounds on prostaglandin formation in oral cancer cells. Tumor growth and immune suppression is associated with excessive prostaglandins production, and inhibition of prostaglandins enhances immune response and suppresses tumor growth in animal studies. The study showed that several retinol compounds inhibited the bioconversion of arachidonic acid to PGE2 by tongue cancer cells. This inhibitory effect, as well as antioxidant activity, may contribute to retinoids' anti inflammatory and anticancer activity.2 There is a decrease in metastases if retinoids are used as adjuvant treatment after removal of a primary tumor.3 A vitamin A derivative called ATRA (all-trans retinoic acid) is currently being used in conjunction with chemotherapy in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia. More than 90% of patients with APL can achieve complete remission, and about 75% can be cured by the combination of ATRA and chemotherapy. ATRA can also reverse moderate cervical dysplasia. 4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (1). Nakagawa M et al. Potentiation by vitamin A of the action of anticancer agents against murine tumors. Jpn J Cancer Res 76(9): 887-94.. Sep 1985. (2). ElAttar TM and Lin HS. Effect of retinoids and carotenoids on prostaglandin formation by oral squamous carcinoma cells.  Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 43(3): 175-8. July 1991. (3). Spencer JW, Jacobs JJ. Complementary/alternative medicine: an evidence based approach. Toronto: Mosley, 1999:133-4. (4). Frank L. Meyskens, Jr., Earl Surwit, Thomas E. Moon, Joel M. Childers, John R. Davis, Robert T. Dorr, Cynthia S. Johnson, David S. Alberts  Enhancement of Regression of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia II (Moderate Dysplasia) With Topically Applied All-trans-Retinoic Acid: a Randomized Trial Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Vol. 86, No. 7, 539-543, April 6, 1994

Vitamin D Vitamin E Vitamin E was discovered in 1922, and has been used extensively as an antioxidant dietary supplement for 30 years. However, most people are unaware that vitamin E is not a single compound, but a general name for a family of compounds. So far, eight forms of vitamin E have been identified in nature. These isomers belong either to a sub-family of four tocopherols (alpha, beta, gamma and delta) or a sub-family of four tocotrienols (alpha, beta, gamma and delta). Tocopherols have a saturated fatty acid tail, while tocotrienols have an unsaturated tail, making the latter compounds more reactive and fluid. This means, for example, that alpha tocotrienol is more protective of cell membranes than alpha tocopherol. Tocotrienols are found in palm, rice bran and barley oils. Palm oil provides the most complete spectrum, and the greatest anti-cancer activity. Studies on the use of vitamin E to treat cancer have yielded variable results. The public Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) examined 14 clinical trials of vitamin E in the treatment of cancer, and most showed no statistically significant benefits. However, a single study of vitamin E in combination with omega-3 fatty acids showed increased survival of patients severely ill with a variety of malignancies. The researchers concluded, "This systematic review of the literature does not support the hypothesis that supplements of vitamins C or E or coenzyme Q10 generally help prevent or treat cancer. Isolated findings of benefit require confirmation."1 However, most research is conducted with only one isolated form of vitamin E, alpha-tocopherol, which is not the most beneficial form to use in treating cancer. Therefore most traditional studies are based on faulty methodology. The latest research places special emphasis on the newly discovered benefits of gamma tocopherol. Though most commercial vitamin E supplements contain only alpha-tocopherol, studies show that it is gamma-tocopherol which has the anti-cancer activity. Since large doses of alpha tocopherol cause depletion of plasma levels of gamma tocopherol, consumers who takes only alpha tocopherol supplements would be wise to reconsider this practice. Full-spectrum vitamin E, which contains a mixture of tocopherols and tocotrienols, may be needed to protect against disease and provide maximum benefits. One study found a 500 percent decrease in prostate cancer in men who had the highest level of gamma tocopherol. This study also showed that gamma tocopherol induced death in lab-grown human cancer cells while leaving normal cells unaffected.2 One study found that women who consumed most vitamin E from food sources had a 60% reduction in the risk of breast cancer, compared to women with the lowest consumption. Since gamma tocopherol is most predominant in food sources, when total vitamin E intake was considered, including supplements (presumably supplying solely alpha tocopherol), the risk of breast cancer was reduced by 30%. 2 A thorough review of findings about gamma tocopherol has appeared in an issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. After reviewing scores of studies, the authors conclude that it is high time to abandon the outdated view that only alpha tocopherol is important, and to conduct more research on gamma tocopherol.

Do not purchase synthetic vitamin E, which is chemically different from the naturally occuring form. Not only is it less effective, it may actually interfere with the action of the natural vitamin by occupying receptor sites. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1). Effect of the Supplemental Use of Antioxidants Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and the Coenzyme Q10 for the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer Summary, Evidence Report/Technology Assessment: Number 75. AHRQ Publication Number 04-E002, October 2003. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/aoxcansum.htm (2). Kathy J. Helzlsouer, Han-Yao Huang, Anthony J. Alberg, Sandra Hoffman, Alyce Burke, Edward P. Norkus, J. Steven Morris, George W. Comstock  Association Between -Tocopherol, -Tocopherol, Selenium, and Subsequent Prostate Cancer, Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Vol. 92, No. 24, 2018-2023, December 20, 2000

Selenium Selenium is a strong antioxidant and cancer preventative, and lack of selenium has been linked to a higher risk of cancer by a multitude of studies. It has not been shown conclusively that it affects the growth of existing cancers. However, a study is being conducted currently by the National Cancer Institute to test whether selenium supplements can cut the rate of non-small cell lung cancer metastasis. 1 If you chose to take selenium supplements to prevent cancer or limit its spread, it is important that the maximum daily intake from all sources be less than 400 micrograms. Toxic effects of excessive selenium include fatigue, hair loss, immune system impairment, weakened fingernails, and other problems. Ironically, high intake of selenium can increase the risk of cancer, so the window of benefit is fairly narrow. Studies conducted in the United States found that 200 micrograms per day was just as effective as 400 micrograms per day in preventing certain types of cancer; there is no reason to take a daily amount of selenium greater than 200 micrograms. Use a yeast-derived form, rather than an inorganic form which is more difficult for the body to absorb. Toxicity is also less likely with the natural form of the mineral. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1). Daniel David Karp, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group; Dr. Omer Kucuk, Southwest Oncology Group; Dr. Randolph Marks, North Central Cancer Treatment Group; Dr. Michael R. Johnston, National Cancer Institute of Canada; Dr. Gerald H. Clamon, Cancer and Leukemia Group B; Dr. Steven Belinsky, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute Randomized Chemoprevention Study of Selenium in Participants With Previously Resected Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (ECOG-5597), 2004 National Cancer Institute