CoQ 10 may reduce the risk of developing melanoma and reduce recurrence

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 10:36 am
Apr 232012
 

Reports indicate anticancer activity with higher blood levels of CoQ 10 (reduced risk of melanoma development, recurrence and progression.) Why do we rarely hear about this? Very few human studies have been conducted to confirm these findings. (imagine that…no profit potential…no money to conduct this study)

What is CoQ 10?

CoQ 10 (also known as: coenzyme Q10, Q10, Vitamin Q10, Ubiquinone, Ubiquinol, Ubidecarenone) is an important protein made by the body, that is involved in cellular metabolism (converting the energy from fats and sugars into usable cellular energy) and as a protective antioxidant.

CoQ 10 stimulates the immune system

Numerous studies have reported on the immune stimulating effects of CoQ 10, although the mechanisms involved in this physiologic activity are not known.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1673841?dopt=Abstract

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10416052?dopt=Abstract

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/101414?dopt=Abstract

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/5478631?dopt=Abstract

CoQ 10 can suppress cancer cell growth

The mechanisms involved in this anticancer activity are not known.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4218125?dopt=Abstract

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/653103?dopt=Abstract

CoQ 10 protects the heart from chemotherapy injury

Studies have demonstrated that CoQ 10 can protect heart tissue from the potentially damaging effects of a commonly used class of chemotherapy drugs, called anthracyclines (i.e. doxorubicin).

CoQ 10 blood levels correlate with the risk of developing melanoma

Researchers prospectively followed 117 early stage (none with metastatic disease) melanoma patients and 125 healthy volunteers (control group), and they discovered some remarkable differences. First, the CoQ 10 levels were significantly lower in patients than in control group. Second, those with CoQ 10 levels less than 0.6 mg/L (low) had a 790% increased risk of developing metastatic disease compared with those patients who had higher levels of CoQ 10; the time to develop metastases was also almost double in patients with CoQ 10 levels 0.6 mg/L or higher! Among the 82 melanoma patients with a low CoQ 10 level (less than 0.6 mg/L), 17 of them died during the study period…whereas, none of the patients with higher CoQ 10 levels died.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16443053

CoQ 10 has been reported to enhance the efficacy of interferon therapy for melanoma

One of the standard therapies for use in patients with advanced stages of melanoma (stages 3-4) is an immune stimulating agent, interferon (IFN). IFN stimulates the immune system to recognize and attack melanoma cells. Patients with early stage disease (stages 1-2) are not typically recommended to receive IFN after surgery, as this drug is difficult for many patients to tolerate due to various side effects and the potential benefit in reducing the risk of recurrence has not well-established in these early stages.

One enterprising group of oncologists postulated that by giving CoQ 10 to those with early stage melanoma, they might be able to further stimulate the immune system. What they found was incredible:

In their study, they gave 32 patients with early stage (stage 1-2) melanoma IFN (2 injections per day of 600,000 IU) plus 400mg per day of CoQ10 for 3 years after surgery, while 49 received only interferon. The patients were monitored for five years after their treatment ended. They reported that the patients who received the IFN + CoQ10 had a reduction in their risk of developing metastases by 10-times compared with those who received only IFN. Furthermore, the IFN + CoQ 10 patients had far fewer IFN-related side effects compared with the IFN only patients; 22% versus 82%, respectively.

Other cancers that might benefit from CoQ 10 supplementation:

Very small studies and case reports have suggested that CoQ 10 may help some cancer patients live longer, including patients with cancers of the breast, pancreas, lung, colon, rectum, and prostate. Although these reports are promising, they are unfortunately not high-quality studies, therefore not much weight can be placed on these results.

Note of caution…don’t take CoQ 10 during radiation therapy:

A mouse study demonstrated reduced anticancer activity of radiation therapy when supplemented with CoQ 10. Radiation therapy works by creating free radicals in cancer cells, which then interact with the DNA and cause cell death. It is believed that by supplementing with a potent antioxidant, such as CoQ 10, the free radicals created by radiation therapy will be diminished along with its’ anticancer efficacy. Read my review article on this in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

CoQ 10 side effects:

None-to-mild side effects, including mild insomnia, elevated liver enzymes, rashes, nausea, upper abdominal pain/heartburn, dizziness, sensitivity to light, irritability, headache, and fatigue.

Commonly prescribed medications can lower CoQ 10 levels:

Lipid lowering medications (such as lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin, gemfibrozil) and the oral diabetes medications (such as glyburide and tolazamide) are well-known to reduce CoQ 10 levels. Patients taking these medications should discuss with their primary care physician supplementation with CoQ 10.

Cautionary effects of CoQ 10:

CoQ 10 may reduce the efficacy of warfarin.

CoQ 10 may reduce insulin requirements in diabetics.

As CoQ 10 has not been exhaustively researched with every chemotherapy agent or combination of agents (it’s never going to happen), recognize that there is a possibility of interactions that can either increase or decrease the anticancer effectiveness of the chemotherapy agent. Always discuss any use of supplements with your oncology team prior to using them.

Dosing:

There are no established dosing guidelines. In human studies, supplementation doses and administration schedules have varied, but usually have been in the range of 90 to 390 mg/day (most common recommendation: 100-200 mg/day)

Most absorbable form of CoQ 10:

Ubiquinol absorbs up to 8 times greater than ubiquinone, and higher levels of ubiquinol remain in the blood far longer than ubiquinone.

CoQ 10 is fat soluble. It is more effectively absorbed when taken with a meal (particularly with lipids).

Additional Resources:

National Cancer Institute PDQ: CoQ 10

About Herbs, Botanicals and Other Products (Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center): CoQ 10

Wikipedia; CoQ 10

Medline Plus (National Library of Medicine): CoQ 10 

CoQ 10 and Cancer Treatment (Life Extension)**although I like many of their products, this is still a supplement company**

 

Become a FAN to follow us on Facebook

Share

12-minute yoga slows cellular aging, improves cognitive function and reduces depression

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 11:04 pm
Mar 132012
 
12-minute yoga slows cellular aging, improves cognitive function and reduces depression

This remarkable study explored the effects of a convenient 12-minute, daily yoga practice on a group of psycho-emotionally taxed caregivers. What they discovered is truly amazing. In their study, the researchers compared two groups of study participants. The first group, the yoga group, were instructed to practice a chanting meditation, “Kirtan Kriya“, every day at the same time for eight weeks. The second group, the control group, was asked to relax in a quiet place with their eyes closed while listening to instrumental music on a relaxation CD, also for 12 minutes every day at the same time for eight weeks. Results: [...read more...]

Share

Would you change your lifestyle if you knew you had silent (occult) cancer cells hiding in your body?

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 1:55 pm
Jan 302012
 
Would you change your lifestyle if you knew you had silent (occult) cancer cells hiding in your body?

I ask this question based on the fact that we know that cancer cells often spread early in the course of disease and they can remain silent (occult or hidden) for years. The Background: Among women with the earliest stage of invasive breast cancer (stage 1), 25% of them already have breast cancer cells that can be found in their bone marrow. (reference) Among men with the earliest stages of prostate cancer (pT2, no lymph node involvement, Gleason scores </=6, PSA </=4 ng/mL), over 70% of them have prostate cancer cells that can be found in their bone marrow. Even [...read more...]

Share

Depression and cancer: Screening is essential

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 1:40 pm
Dec 262011
 
Depression and cancer: Screening is essential

Depression affects up to 50% of patients with cancer, and unfortunately many go undiagnosed and suffer in silence. The problem is two-fold: 1) Oncologists often feel too busy or not qualified to be able to diagnose and treat this condition, and 2) The majority of patients do not volunteer their concerns about their psychoemotional distress, either feeling too ashamed to admit that they are not coping well with the emotional and psychological distress of their cancer or believing that their physicians and nurses are not concerned about these issues. Background: In some studies, depression has been associated with poorer survival [...read more...]

Share

Amazing anti-cancer compound derived from the French Lilac: Galega officianalis (metformin)

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 12:39 pm
Aug 292011
 
Amazing anti-cancer compound derived from the French Lilac: Galega officianalis (metformin)

Metformin is a medication derived from the herb Galega officinalis (French lilac, also known as Goat’s Rue or Italian Fitch) and has been used as a traditional botanical (tea infusion) for over 3,000 years to relieve polyuria (frequent urination) and halitosis (sweet odor on the breath), both are now well known symptoms of diabetes. Approved for the treatment of hyperglycemia in Britain since the late 1950′s, Canada in the 1970′s and U.S. in 1995, metformin is the most widely prescribed diabetes drugs (over 120 million prescriptions filled yearly worldwide). Although the mechanism of action of metformin in diabetes is only partially understood, metformin treatment [...read more...]

Share

The rising tide of the contralateral prophylactic mastectomy: know the facts

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 3:11 pm
Aug 172011
 
The rising tide of the contralateral prophylactic mastectomy: know the facts

The last decade has seen a steady rise (300% increase) in the number of individuals who are opting to undergo a contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) as a means of reducing their risk of developing a new breast cancer in their opposite breast. (Listen to an audio discussion on this trend) This procedure is most compelling to those patients with an increased risk of developing a contralateral breast cancer (i.e. BRCA 1/2 gene mutations, strong family history of breast cancer, prior exposure of radiation to the breast, etc.), although CPM will significantly reduce the risk of developing a contralateral breast cancer in all [...read more...]

Share

Reduce skin fibrosis & possibly breast implant contracture after radiation therapy: vitamin E & pentoxifylline

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 5:40 pm
Aug 012011
 
Reduce skin fibrosis & possibly breast implant contracture after radiation therapy: vitamin E & pentoxifylline

Most patients typically develop only minimal skin fibrosis after their radiation therapy, however for those who have a more significant degree of fibrosis I often recommend a combination of vitamin E (400 I.U, twice a day) and pentoxifylline (400 mg, three times each day). Fibrosis can develop months-to-years after radiation therapy to any region of the body, but is most common in the extremities, breasts (read more about implant contracture, below) and head and neck where higher radiation doses are often required on or just below the skin surface. How does this treatment work? It is not entirely clear how [...read more...]

Share

Cancer has spread to a sentinel lymph node…do you need more extensive lymph node surgery?

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 10:30 am
Jun 252011
 
Cancer has spread to a sentinel lymph node...do you need more extensive lymph node surgery?

Please share this post with anyone you know who was JUST diagnosed with breast cancer… A practice changing study, published in February 2011, in the Journal of the American Medical Association, reported the results of an important randomized trial of women with breast cancer who had metastatic involvement of their axillary sentinel lymph nodes (SLN).  A procedure call a “sentinel lymph node dissection” (SLND) enables the surgeon to examine whether cancer has spread from the tumor to the lymph nodes (in particular, to the “sentinel lymph node” or SLN). Patients whose SLNs are free of cancer do not need to [...read more...]

Share

Typical U.S. diet (high fat and cholesterol) increases breast cancer development and progression by 50% (in mice)!!

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 12:38 pm
Jan 072011
 
Typical U.S. diet (high fat and cholesterol) increases breast cancer development and progression by 50% (in mice)!!

A fascinating study (published in The American Journal of Pathology, in January 2011) reported that when placed on a diet of 21% fat and 0.2% cholesterol (similar to the typical diet in the U.S.), there was a 50% increase in the size and number of breast cancer tumors in mice (with a genetic proclivity for developing breast cancer) compared to those mice who were placed on a low-fat diet (4.5% fat) with negligible cholesterol. This study, albeit a mouse experiment, is still very intriguing and is consistent with findings from other groups (suggesting that diets higher in saturated fats lead [...read more...]

Share

Who should consider genetic testing (BRCA1/2) for hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancers?

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 6:06 am
Dec 222010
 
Who should consider genetic testing (BRCA1/2) for hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancers?

The vast majority of cancers occur by chance, but a small percentage are related to inherited genetic abnormalities or mutations. In cases of hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancers, most occur as a result of mutations in either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes (this is called “hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome” or “HBOC syndrome”.) These gene mutations can be inherited from your mother or father. What are the risks associated with the presence of a BRCA gene mutation? In women (lifetime risk): up to an 87% risk of developing breast cancer up to a 44% risk of developing ovarian cancer [...read more...]

Share

Green tea has no effect on breast cancer prevention: questions remain unanswered about other potential anti-cancer effects of green tea.

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 2:52 pm
Oct 282010
 
Green tea has no effect on breast cancer prevention: questions remain unanswered about other potential anti-cancer effects of green tea.

An excellent study (published in October 2010, in Breast Cancer Research) reported that consumption of green tea provides no benefit in reducing the risk of developing breast cancer. The authors examined the prospectively collected data on 53,793 women, in Japan, who provided information on their level of consumption of green tea over a 5-year study period. They looked at various factors to determine if there were any subcategories of women who might have experienced a reduced risk of of developing breast cancer, but they could not find any correlations (i.e. demographics, amount of green tea consumed, type of tea consumption, [...read more...]

Share

Soy consumption may reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 9:28 pm
Oct 182010
 
Soy consumption may reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence

A study (published in October 2010, in Canadian Medical Association Journal) reports that postmenopausal women with a prior history of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer had a significantly lower risk (33% less!!) of breast cancer recurrence when they consumed higher quantities of soy foods compared to those women who ate smaller quantities. Estrogen receptor positivity or sensitivity means that the breast cancer is stimulated by estrogen. The authors also reported that he risk of breast cancer recurrence was further reduced in the highest soy consumption patients who were also taking a commonly prescribed hormonal anti-cancer medication (Anastrazole.) In a study [...read more...]

Share

Chronic stress increased the risk of cancer metastases (spread) by 30-fold!!

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 11:55 am
Sep 182010
 
Chronic stress increased the risk of cancer metastases (spread) by 30-fold!!

In a study (published in Cancer Research, September 2010), investigators from UCLA demonstrated the biological effects of chronic stress leading to a 30-fold increase in the rate of breast cancer metastases in a mouse study. This study adds the the mounting evidence suggesting that the physiologic changes that occur as a result of chronic stress (i.e. increased stimulation of the sympathetic “fight or flight” nervous system) can increase the risk of cancer progression. The authors examined the effects of chronic stress in mice injected with breast cancer cells. The mice were subjected to a chronic stress model by being confined [...read more...]

Share

A commonly prescribed osteoporosis medication significantly decreases the risk of developing invasive breast cancer

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 1:00 pm
Jun 232010
 
A commonly prescribed osteoporosis medication significantly decreases the risk of developing invasive breast cancer

In two large studies, published in June 2010 (in the Journal of Clinical Oncology) investigators report that the use of a class of osteoporosis medications called, “bisphosphonates” significantly reduced the risk of developing invasive breast cancer (approximately 30% risk reduction) in postmenopausal women.  These impressive results remained even after controlling for numerous other breast cancer risk factors. (Read More Here) These studies add to previously published data demonstrating multiple anti-cancer effects with bisphosphonates (i.e. reduction in bone metastases, inhibition of tumoral blood vessels, increased tumor cell death and clinical data suggesting decreased recurrence of breast cancer.) This study is important as it suggests that the [...read more...]

Share

Are you on Tamoxifen? A simple test can tell you if you are at a high risk of blood clots

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 3:49 pm
Jun 172010
 
Are you on Tamoxifen? A simple test can tell you if you are at a high risk of blood clots

In a study, published in June 2010 (in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute) investigators reported that breast cancer patients who were on Tamoxifen (a hormonal drug that blocks the estrogen receptors on tumor cells) and had a unique gene mutation (called “Factor 5 Leiden” or “FVL”) were 5-times more likely to develop blood clots or thromboembolic events (i.e. pulmonary emobolism) than patients without this genetic mutation. Tamoxifen has been previously reported to increase a patients risk of developing a thromboembolic event (TE) by 2-times compared to those not on Tamoxifen. This is widely known in oncology and is [...read more...]

Share

Relaxation & stress reduction counseling reported to reduce breast cancer recurrence and improve survival

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 1:55 pm
Jun 152010
 
Relaxation & stress reduction counseling reported to reduce breast cancer recurrence and improve survival

In a study (published in June 2010, in Clinical Cancer Research), investigators update the results of a fascinating experiment in which 227 breast cancer patients were randomly assigned to two groups: group 1 (received psychological interventions such as relaxation training and advice on minimizing stress in 39 therapy hours, over 12 months), group 2 (received no psychological interventions). The patients have been followed for over 11 years since their initial enrollment. Patients were reassessed every four months during year one, every six months during years two to five, and annually thereafter. The authors have previously reported that patients in the [...read more...]

Share

Progesterone increases the risk of breast cancer metastasis

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 4:44 pm
May 062010
 
Progesterone increases the risk of breast cancer metastasis

In a study (accepted for publication in May 2006, in Menopause: The Journal of The North American Menopause Society) investigators found the the use of progesterone increased the risk of breast cancer metastases. The authors conducted this study in animals with breast cancer. They noted that progesterone’s effect was not dependent on the menopausal status of the animal nor whether the progesterone was given with or without estrogen. It appeared that progesterone stimulated the production of blood vessels to the tumors, increasing their access to the circulation and the rest of the body. (Read More Here) Millions of women, after [...read more...]

Share

Eat your broccoli: anti-cancer phytonutrients reduce the development and growth of breast cancer cells and tumors

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 3:55 pm
May 042010
 
Eat your broccoli: anti-cancer phytonutrients reduce the development and growth of breast cancer cells and tumors

In a study (published in May 2010, in Clinical Cancer Research) investigators have discovered that a natural compound found in broccoli, called sulforaphane, was able to significantly decrease the number of breast cancer stem cells (the earliest cancer cells that form tumors) in cell preparation studies and in mouse studies. The authors used a highly concentrated form of this natural compound, derived from broccoli (sulforaphane), to test whether breast cancer stem cells would be able to grow and form tumors. These experiments provide further evidence that supports the anti-cancer properties of eating broccoli. (Read More Here) Sulforaphane is just one [...read more...]

Share

Smoking increases the risk in breast cancer survivors for developing a new breast cancer

 Posted by Brian Lawenda M.D. at 9:24 am
May 032010
 
Smoking increases the risk in breast cancer survivors for developing a new breast cancer

In a study (presented at the May 2010 meeting of the American Radium Society) investigators report the results of their analysis of 796 breast cancer survivors who smoked after their treatment for breast cancer. All of these patients received lumpectomy (with or without radiation therapy). The authors found that the rate of developing a new breast cancer (in either the same or opposite breast) and any new cancer was significantly higher in this group of smokers compared to a non-smoking group of breast cancer survivors. (Read More Here) Integrative oncology counseling provides numerous recommendations for cancer survivors that may help to reduce [...read more...]

Share
© 2011 Integrative Oncology Essentials Suffusion theme by Sayontan Sinha