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Decongestant revealed as 'highly effective' in starving cancer cells

Date:
November 20, 2017
Source:
University of Salford
Summary:
Cancer researchers seeking non-toxic alternatives to harmful chemotherapy are reporting a highly significant result for a humble cold remedy.
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Cancer researchers seeking non-toxic alternatives to harmful chemotherapy are reporting a highly significant result for a humble cold remedy.

N-Acetyl cysteine -- or NAC -- is routinely used as a dietary supplement and as a decongestant given to children to ward off a cold.

Now, clinical trials in the US indicate the cheap, over-the-counter drug, is a first rate inhibitor of the tumour stroma, a cell compartment which is fundamental to the spread of cancer.

The results, published in Seminars in Oncology, confirm a long-held theory that cancer cells are being sustained and strengthened by the presence of MCT4, a protein which 'brings them' energy, in the form of lactate, from neighbouring cells.

Patients taking high dosages of NAC saw their levels of the 'transporter' protein fall by more than 80%, drastically reducing the ability of the cancer cells to feed off neighbouring cells.

Professor Federica Sotgia, of the Biomedical Research Centre at the University of Salford, UK, explained: "In cell cultures in the laboratory, we had seen a near complete reduction in MCT4, but to achieve such a substantial result in breast cancer patients is extremely exciting indeed."

The team, which includes Professor Michael Lisanti, of the University of Salford and US-based Ubaldo Martinez-Outschoorn, MD, conducted a 'window trial' on 12 patients awaiting surgery for breast cancer at The Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (Thomas Jefferson University), in Philadelphia.

Patients were given maximum daily dosages of the over-the-counter drug for three weeks between diagnosis and surgery. Tumour tissue biopsies were then taken before and during surgery and key biomarkers, including MCT4 and K167, were measured post-surgery.

K167 levels fell by 25% and MCT4 levels were reduced by approximately 80%.

"High levels of stromal MCT4 are extremely worrying, as they are linked to aggressive cancer behaviour and poor overall survival, so this is very encouraging result," explained Professor Lisanti.

"Our idea was to repurpose an inexpensive FDA-approved drug, to examine if its antioxidant properties could target the feeding behaviour of cancer cells. To be able to inhibit MCT4 protein expression, in a non-toxic way, is huge step forward."


Story Source:

Materials provided by University of Salford. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Daniel Monti, Federica Sotgia, Diana Whitaker-Menezes, Madalina Tuluc, Ruth Birbe, Adam Berger, Melissa Lazar, Paolo Cotzia, Rossitza Draganova-Tacheva, Zhao Lin, Marina Domingo-Vidal, Andrew Newberg, Michael P. Lisanti, Ubaldo Martinez-Outschoorn. Pilot study demonstrating metabolic and anti-proliferative effects of in vivo anti-oxidant supplementation with N-Acetylcysteine in Breast Cancer. Seminars in Oncology, 2017; DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2017.10.001

Cite This Page:

University of Salford. "Decongestant revealed as 'highly effective' in starving cancer cells." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 20 November 2017. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171120141534.htm>.
University of Salford. (2017, November 20). Decongestant revealed as 'highly effective' in starving cancer cells. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 18, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171120141534.htm
University of Salford. "Decongestant revealed as 'highly effective' in starving cancer cells." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171120141534.htm (accessed March 18, 2024).

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