Oct 2013: Vitamin E δ-tocotrienol Prolongs Survival in the LSL-KrasG12D/+;LSL-Trp53R172H/+;Pdx-1-Cre (KPC) Transgenic Mouse Model of Pancreatic Cancer. Transgenic (KPC) mice received either placebo (Vehicle), Gemcitabine, delta-tocotrienol or the delta-tocotrienol with Gemcitabine. After 16 weeks, the survival rate was 10% in the placebo group, 30% in the gemcitabine group delta-tocotrienol group 70% and in the group with dT3 plus Gemcitabine 90% (p<0.05). "The results strongly support further research into delta-tocotrienol (=VEDT) alla and in combination with gemcitabine for the prevention and treatment of cancer of the pancreas."

Comparable results were achieved:

2013 Prolonged survival and delayed progression of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia in .. mice by vitamin E δ-tocotrienol.

Jan 2013: Optinization of tocotrienols as antiproliferative and antinigratory leads. This study chemically examined modified variants of gamma-tocotrienol and delta-tocotrienol. "Of the 42 different variants created (redox-silent), eight suppressed the proliferation of highly metastasizing breast cancer cells in the nanomolar range. Another two suppressed the proliferation of the highly metastasizing cell line MDA-MB-231 in 1.3 to 1.5 μmol. Another product was able to significantly slow down the proliferation of breast cancer in mice at a dose of 0.5mg/d for 14 days." The chemical combination of gamma- and delta-tocotrienol produced versions that could play a leading role in the treatment of metastatic breast cancers.

Angiogenesis - the formation of new blood vessels - plays an important role in the development of tumours. Without new blood vessels, no tumour can develop. Procedures against angiogenesis represent an established therapeutic strategy against tumourigenesis.

The study found that gamma-tocotrienol at concentrations of 10-40 micromol/L could prevent angiogenesis. In addition, the apoptosis-producing effect was demonstrated.

Describe comparable results:

2008 Anti-angiogenic function of tocotrienol
2009 delta-tocotrienolsuppresses VEGF inducedangiogenesiswhereas alpha-tocopherol does not.
2007 Invivo angiogenesisis suppressed by unsaturated vitamin E,tocotrienol. confirmed the results in vivo in mice, where tumour growth was stopped with 10mg TRF oil.

Jan 2012 (epub Apr 2011): Why tocotrienols work better: insights into the in vitro anti-cancer mechanism of vitamin E

This review of the anticancer effect of tocotrienolsn on cell lines shows possible mechanisms of action and discusses the therapeutic window for T3 administration. The graphic shows the T3 concentrations for IC50 effect on different lines of breast cancer cells (in 2-5 days).

It can be seen that in an exposure period of 2 to 5 days some types of breast cancer cells in concentrations of approx. 5 µM to 80 µM (2 - 32µg/mL) gT3 or gT3 are significantly inhibited. Anthee Arinten show that a maximum of 1uM can be achieved by oral administration. The higher concentrations could, for example, be achieved topically or with ferritin liposomes.

In humans, concentrations of 12-45 μmol (=5-20ug/ml) total vitamin E are normal.

July 2014:tocotrienol-Rich Fraction, [6]-Gingerol and Epigallocatechin Gallate Inhibit Proliferation and Induce Apoptosis of Glioma Cancer Cells(tocotrienol-TRF, gingerol and EGCG on brain cancer cells)

This study examines tocotrienols (as TRF) in interaction with other anticancer bioactive substances from plants on glioma brain cancer cells. Result: Each of the examined substances showed a clear (IC₅₀) Inhibiting effect within 24h, in relatively high concentrations between 32 and 240 ug/mL. However, a synergistic (more than just adhering) effect was only demonstrated in the combination of TRF with gingerol, as well as in EGCG with gingerol. Meaning: Ginger or green tea cannot be expected to increase the anticancer effect known in tocotrienolsn on brain cells.

June 2013:Potential role of tocotrienols in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer. (The possible role of tocotrienolsn in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer)

This study summarizes various experimental studies that identify the different intracellular mechanisms that have been found for the anti-cancer effect of tocotrienolsn. Evidence is presented that demonstrates the synergistic effect of tocotrienols together with chemotherapy in cancer.
Quote: "In summary, the results show that tocotrienols can provide significant health benefits in the treatment and prevention of cancer, both as monotherapy or together with other anticancer agents."

June 2012:Microsc Microanal. 2012 Jun;18(3):462-9: Delta- and gamma-tocotrienols induce classical ultrastructural apoptotic changes in human T lymphoblastic leukemic cells.

So far, the tocotrienols have been shown to have cytotoxic effects on various types of cancer cells, but not yet for leukemic cells. In this study it was found that all tested isomers (alpha, delta, and gamma) had cytotoxic effects on cancer cells in a human cell line of leukemia cells (CEM-SS), where delta-tocotrienol was the most potent.

".. The effect of delta-tocotrienol (from the Brazilian medicinal plant Kielmeyera coriacea) on cell lines of human cancers was examined: MDA-MB-435 (melanoma), HCT-8 (colon), HL-60 (leukemia), and various SF-295 (glioblastoma). IC50 values ​​of 8.08 to 23.58μg/mL noted. "

".. tocotrienols show potent anticancer activity by modulating multiple intracellular signaling pathways that are related to the proliferation and survival of cancer cells. .. These results suggest that the antiproliferative and apoptotic effects caused by the combination of low-dose gamma-tocotrienol with these chemotherapeutic substances have significant advantages in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer in women. While at the same time the side effects and tumour resistance a high-dose monotherapy should be avoided."

"Doses greater than 200mg of natural E3 (tocotrienols) increased apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells and increased the production of p27, an important kinase inhibitor in the regulation of cell cycles."

Vitamin E tocotrienol Shows Increased Cancer Cell Apoptosis Without Toxicity in Phase 1 Pancreatic Cancer Trial

This study researches the effects of the anti-cancer effect of tocotrienolsn. It was found that the "intracellular elevation of dihydroceramide and dihydrosphingosine may represent a novel anti-cancer mechanism."

April 22, 2011:News from the University of Strathclyde:Novel tocotrienol-entrapping vesicles can eradicate solid tumours after intravenous administration.[Here the full text (English)]

Here comes the first publication from the University of Strathclyde, after the sensational reports from December 2009 with the microencapsulated tocotrienol.

The microencapsulation led to a "dramatically improved therapeutic efficiency in vitro, which was 17-fold to 72-fold higher than the unencapsulated variant, depending on the cell line.In vivo"The new tocotrienol formulation resulted in 40% to a complete eradication of the tumours in B16-F10 murine melanomas and to 20% in A431 human skin tumours."

Result: in the group that received tocotrienols, the mortality from breast cancer was 60 percent lower. However, the results were not statistically significant (HR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.08 to 2.05) so that no conclusion can be made about the effectiveness of the combination treatment.

The concentration of tocotrienols in blood of the test subjects reached values ​​of around 1 µg/ml.

Scientists from Singapore, Australia and Hong Kong have found that gamma-tocotrienol is an effective agent against prostate cancer stem cells. This class of cancer cells is responsible for the formation of prostate cancer and is resistant to conventional chemotherapy drugs. The formation of new chemo-resistant cancer cells is the cause of cancer relapses. Gamma-tocotrienol belongs to the vitamin E group and is a natural substance that is obtained from palm oil."

December 2009: tocotrienols shrink tumours

In Great Britain, researchers have developed a tocotrienol preparation that caused cancer tumours to shrink within 24 days and almost disappear within 10 days.

"Within 24 hours, tumours begin to shrivel and after ten days they have almost completely disappeared." read more...

1999:Proof that tocotrienols (and delta-tocopherol) can “effectively kill” human breast cancer cells. The concentrations were between 10 and 200ug/ml.

1989-1994: Initial experiments on cell lines and rats show initial indications of the possible potential of tocotrienols in the fight against cancer. Examples:

• Various forms of vitamin E have been tested for their effect on human cancer cells. Gamma-tocotrienol and delta-tocotrienol were found to have “strong activity against tumour development”. Such activity has never been detected with tocopherols.
• Rats that were fed palm oil developed less cancer from cancer-causing substances.
• Rats that received tocotrienols in their diet were less likely to develop liver cancer.
• Pubmed 8181855