Doctors at Tata Memorial Centre in Mumbai have made a significant discovery in cancer research. After a decade-long study, they have identified a mechanism for cancer metastasis and developed a nutraceutical therapy to mitigate its risk. The research reveals that dying cancer cells release chromosome fragments, which can fuse with healthy cells and lead to the development of new tumors. To combat this, the doctors have found that nutraceuticals made from copper and plants can neutralize these chromosome fragments and reduce the risk of metastasis. The therapy is expected to be available in June and can be prescribed as a supportive treatment along with chemotherapy.
Cancer metastasis has always been a perplexing concept for medical professionals. Despite successfully removing the primary tumor, some patients still succumb to the disease. Dr. Indraneel Mittra, who led the research, explains that their team injected human breast cancer cells into mice and discovered chromosome fragments of human cancer cells in the mice’s brains even after treating the initial tumor. This finding was replicated in further research using surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, indicating the potential risk of metastasis through the release of chromosome fragments (cfChPs) from dying cancer cells.
Further investigation demonstrated that the nutraceutical composed of copper and a plant extract, such as grapes or berries, could effectively neutralize these chromosome fragments. Dr. Rajendra Badwe, former director of TMC, shared that a nutraceutical manufacturer has partnered with the center to produce this medicine, which will be available in June. The therapy can complement chemotherapy and serve as a precautionary measure against the risk of metastasis.
TMC conducted trials on various cancer patients, including those with oral, blood, stomach, and brain cancer, using the nutraceutical therapy alongside standard treatment. The results were encouraging, with patients experiencing fewer ulcers after receiving the therapy. The doctors emphasized the importance of incorporating cfChPs as a factor in cancer treatment policies. Instead of attributing metastasis solely to migrating cancer cells, cfChPs should be considered a potential cause. Dr. Badwe suggested that cancer treatment protocols may need to include agents that deactivate or destroy these chromosome fragments.
This breakthrough in cancer research has significant implications for the development of more effective cancer treatment strategies. By addressing the role of chromosome fragments in metastasis, doctors can better understand and mitigate the risk of cancer spread. The nutraceutical therapy offers a promising solution to minimize the chances of metastasis and improve patient outcomes. It represents an affordable and accessible adjunct therapy to reduce the toxicity of chemotherapy, making it a potentially invaluable tool in the fight against cancer.
