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Gamma-Tocotrienol Kills Prostate Cancer Stem Cells

Monday, July 26, 2010 Cancer News
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SINGAPORE, July 25 Scientists from Singapore,Australia and Hong Kong have found that gamma-tocotrienol is potent in killingprostate cancer stem cells. This small group of cells is responsible for theinitiation of prostate cancer and is resistant to conventional chemotherapydrugs. It causes relapses in the cancer by producing new chemo-resistantcancer cells. Gamma-tocotrienol is a member of the Vitamin E family and isderived naturally from palm oil.
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This study aimed to find a way to eradicate prostate cancer stem cells. Itfollows an earlier report that demonstrated the effectiveness ofgamma-tocotrienol in targeting the bulk of the prostate tumour mass. Thislatest finding highlights the considerable potential of gamma-tocotrienol as anatural remedy to prevent and treat prostate cancer.
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This research study involves collaboration between scientists at DavosLife Science (Singapore) and researchers at Australian Prostate CancerResearch Centre -- Queensland and The Hong Kong University. The findings werereported in the latest edition of the International Journal of Cancer (IJC).

The scientists found that low doses of gamma-tocotrienol cause apoptosisin the prostate cancer stem cells and suppress their colony formationcapability. This results in a lower prostate cancer stem cell population (asdefined by the protein markers CD133 and CD44). Further tests in mice modelswere conducted, where mice implanted with hormonal refractory prostate cancercells were given gamma-tocotrienol orally. The results showed that gamma-tocotrienol not only reduced tumour size formed, but also decreased theincidence rate of tumour formation by 75%, as compared to the control group ofmice, which had 100% tumour formation. These results strongly suggest thatgamma-tocotrienol could be developed for prostate cancer prevention andtreatment.

"Current chemotherapy drugs, such as Docetaxel, have limited effect onprostate cancer stem cells, although they are currently the first-line druggiven to patients with advanced hormonal refractory prostate cancer. Thisstudy shows that gamma-tocotrienol is effective in preventing the formation ofprostate tumours in mice models. The key compound involves the use of anatural product, gamma-tocotrienol, which is found in edible plant oils,thereby minimising potential adverse side effects," said Dr. Daniel Yap, oneof the leading scientists for the study and Head of Research & Development atDavos Life Science. "As gamma-tocotrienol has shown positive results inremoving the stubborn prostate cancer stem cells, it should be investigated asa more effective form of treatment strategy to achieve what conventionalchemotherapy drug has failed to do -- to keep the disease in remission state."

"These results provide a compelling case for developing the potential ofgamma-tocotrienols to help patients with terminal hormonal refractory prostatecancer. The prospects of future studies on the cancer-fighting effects ofgamma-tocotrienols are exciting indeed and we see increasing research interestby scientists in this area," said Mr. Arthur Ling, CEO of Davos Life ScienceSingapore.

About Davos Life Science

Davos Life Science was established in 2004 as the world's largesttocotrienol manufacturer. The company extracts natural palm tocotrienols foruse in health supplements, functional foods, personal care products andpharmaceutical formulations under the brand name "Natural e3". The company hasalso set up the world largest research and development centre dedicated totocotrienols. For more information, please visit http://www.davoslife.com

SOURCE Davos Life Science
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