Supplement mix helps reduce tumor aggressiveness in deadly brain cancer

• A combination of two supplements — resveratrol and copper — reduced the aggressiveness of glioblastoma brain tumors in a small new study.
• Glioblastoma is among the most deadly and treatment-resistant cancers.
• The study provides support for the concept of treating and “healing” cancer tumors rather than trying to kill them outright.
• Patients also reported no side effects from the resveratrol/copper treatment.

It may be possible to coax some of the most deadly brain cancer cells into a sort of healing, rather than simply trying — and often failing — to destroy them. This is the finding of a new study from the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer, in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai.

The study found that tablets containing resveratrol and copper appeared to positively affect a variety of biomarkers in glioblastoma tumors.

The patients took tablets containing the nutraceuticals four times a day for an average of 11.6 days leading up to previously scheduled surgeries, during which their tumors were removed. They were then compared to tumors from similar glioblastoma patients who did not receive tablets.

The patients taking the tablets reported no side effects.

The researchers’ hypothesis was that the combination of resveratrol and copper would produce oxygen radicals capable of deactivating cell-free chromatin particles released by dying glioblastoma cells. These particles aggravate living glioblastoma cells, making them more destructive.

The treated resveratrol/copper glioblastoma cells exhibited several promising changes:

• Levels of Ki-67 were nearly one-third lower in the treated tumors — Ki67 is a protein that serves as an indicator of the speed at which glioblastoma cells are dividing, and thus the cancer’s aggressiveness.
• A set of nine biomarkers recognized as the “hallmarks of cancer” were detected in 57% fewer cells.
• Six of the body’s immune checkpoints, which inhibit the body from attacking cancer cells, were reduced by 41% in the tumors.
• There was a reduction of 56% in markers linked to stem cells that allow glioblastoma to spread as quickly as it does, and to resist treatment so stubbornly.

The study is published in BJC Reports.