In the previous article, a series of studies were presented that demonstrate the powerful anticancer activity of tocotrienolsn.
But how does this anticancer effect work?
Tocotrienols (T3) show a powerful anti-cancer activity by influencing several intracellular signaling pathways which are associated with the proliferation and survival of cancer cells.[Source] The anticancer effect of T3 is not yet fully understood, but it is basednoton the antioxidant potential.
Despite a common classification, tocotrienols are not only an antioxidant, but they also modulate a number of signaling pathways that can induce the naturally programmed cell death of degenerated cells (apoptosis).
The nice thing about this statement is:The tocotrienols apparently activate natural defense mechanisms against cancer in the cells themselves.
These mechanisms may be sufficient in themselves to fight tumours. studies on various lines of cancer cells, and also on humans, have proven this.
How exactly the anti-cancer effect of tocotrienolsn works is being investigated in several (already completed) studies.
So writes [2]: "γ-tocotrienol regulated the production of STAT3-dependent gene products, including survivin, cyclin D1, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Mcl-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor. In addition, γ-tocotrienol suppressed the proliferation in cancer cells, caused apoptosis and increased the apoptotic effect of chemotherapeutic drugs (paclitaxel and doxorubicin)."
The NF-kB limiting effect is only part of the anti-cancer effect of tocotrienolsn. At least one other factor is the effect against angiogenesis. Angiogenesis - the formation of new blood vessels - is necessary for the development of tumours; otherwise they would not be supplied with blood. Tocotrienols act against angiogenesis and thereby also against tumour development. [Gamma-tocotrienol inhibits angiogenesis of human umbilical and endothelial cells induced by cancer cells]
We hope and expect to see the additional use of tocotrienolsn in a few years Jethe Cancer therapy will become standard.
Synergies with others cancer treatments
One can combine these approaches in cancer therapy with tocotrienolsn. They don't bother each other. It has even been proven several times that T3 the tumour cells respond to chemotherapy drugssensitize(as in Tamoxifen, Doxorubicin, Paclitaxel and others). A synergistic (mutually enhanced) effect is created. More about that in next chapter.
References:
[1] Here the original text (tocotrienol combination therapy results in synergistic anticancer response) and a translation of the summary:
"Vitamin E consists of a family of components that are divided into two subgroups: tocopherols and tocotrienols. These act as important antioxidants, regulating peroxidation and the production of free radicals in the body. Although tocopherols and tocotrienols have the same chemical structure with the chromanol ring and a phytyl side group, only tocotrienols exhibit anticancer activity by modulating cell-internal signaling pathways associated with tumour cell proliferation and survival chemotherapeutic agent results in a synergistic effect. Combination therapy is most effective when tocotrienols are combined with agents that have a complementary mechanism of action against cancer.
These findings are a strong indication that the synergistic antiproliferative and apoptopic effects that treatment with low doses of gamma-tocotrienol together with any chemotherapeutic agent may have significant health benefits in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer in women tumour and side effects due to the toxicity in high-dose monotherapies are avoided."
[2] Here the original text (Gamma-tocotrienol is a novel inhibitor of constitutive and inducible STAT3 signaling pathway in human hepatocellular carcinoma: potential role as an antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic and chemosensitizing agent) and a translation in excerpts:
"γ-tocotrienol regulated the production of STAT3-dependent gene products, including cyclin D1, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, survivin, Mcl-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Furthermore, γ-tocotrienol suppressed the proliferation, caused apoptosis and enhanced the apoptotic effect of chemotherapeutic drugs (paclitaxel and doxorubicin).
(Conclusion:) In summary, our results suggest that γ-tocotrienol is a novel blocker of the STAT3 activation pathway, with a possible role in future therapies for liver cancer (HCC) and other cancers."
Synergies with other natural substances to reduce NF-kB
A significant part of the anti-cancer effect of tocotrienolsn is their ability to lower the transcription factor NF-kB, as anti-apoptosis factors are formed by NF-kB, which prevent the natural cancer defense through apoptosis. Continue reading in chapter NF-kB.
We think it is important to mention some natural substances in this context, as their use simultaneously with tocotrienol (and other cancer therapies) could have a positive effect, which those affected can easily add themselves.