Gamma-Tocotrienol Kills Prostate Cancer Stem Cells
Latest study reveals that gamma-tocotrienol is effective in targeting prostate cancer stem cells, offering a potential means to prevent cancer growth and disease relapse
SINGAPORE, July 25 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Scientists from
Singapore, Australia and Hong Kong have found that
gamma-tocotrienol is potent in killing prostate cancer stem cells.
This small group of cells is responsible for the initiation of
prostate cancer and is resistant to conventional chemotherapy
drugs. It causes relapses in the cancer by producing new
chemo-resistant cancer cells. Gamma-tocotrienol is a member of the
Vitamin E family and is derived naturally from palm oil.
This study aimed to find a way to eradicate prostate cancer stem
cells. It follows an earlier report that demonstrated the
effectiveness of gamma-tocotrienol in targeting the bulk of the
prostate tumour mass. This latest finding highlights the
considerable potential of gamma-tocotrienol as a natural remedy to
prevent and treat prostate cancer.
This research study involves collaboration between scientists at
Davos Life Science (Singapore) and researchers at Australian
Prostate Cancer Research Centre -- Queensland and The Hong Kong
University. The findings were reported in the latest edition of the
International Journal of Cancer (IJC).
The scientists found that low doses of gamma-tocotrienol cause
apoptosis in the prostate cancer stem cells and suppress their
colony formation capability. This results in a lower prostate
cancer stem cell population (as defined by the protein markers
CD133 and CD44). Further tests in mice models were conducted, where
mice implanted with hormonal refractory prostate cancer cells were
given gamma-tocotrienol orally. The results showed that gamma-
tocotrienol not only reduced tumour size formed, but also decreased
the incidence rate of tumour formation by 75%, as compared to the
control group of mice, which had 100% tumour formation. These
results strongly suggest that gamma-tocotrienol could be developed
for prostate cancer prevention and treatment.
"Current chemotherapy drugs, such as Docetaxel, have limited
effect on prostate cancer stem cells, although they are currently
the first-line drug given to patients with advanced hormonal
refractory prostate cancer. This study shows that gamma-tocotrienol
is effective in preventing the formation of prostate tumours in
mice models. The key compound involves the use of a natural
product, gamma-tocotrienol, which is found in edible plant oils,
thereby minimising potential adverse side effects," said Dr. Daniel
Yap, one of the leading scientists for the study and Head of
Research & Development at Davos Life Science. "As
gamma-tocotrienol has shown positive results in removing the
stubborn prostate cancer stem cells, it should be investigated as a
more effective form of treatment strategy to achieve what
conventional chemotherapy drug has failed to do -- to keep the
disease in remission state."
"These results provide a compelling case for developing the
potential of gamma-tocotrienols to help patients with terminal
hormonal refractory prostate cancer. The prospects of future
studies on the cancer-fighting effects of gamma-tocotrienols are
exciting indeed and we see increasing research interest by
scientists in this area," said Mr. Arthur Ling, CEO of Davos Life
Science Singapore.
About Davos Life Science
Davos Life Science was established in 2004 as the world's
largest tocotrienol manufacturer. The company extracts natural palm
tocotrienols for use in health supplements, functional foods,
personal care products and pharmaceutical formulations under the
brand name "Natural e3". The company has also set up the world
largest research and development centre dedicated to tocotrienols.
For more information, please visit http://www.davoslife.com/
Source: Davos Life Science
CONTACT: Chan Yiu Lin (Ms), Greener Grass Communications,
+65-9-765-5897,
yiulin@greenergrass.com.sg,
for Davos Life Science
Web site: http://www.davoslife.com/
Posted: July 2010
