Researchers from the Kimmel Cancer Centre at Jefferson have found that vitamin K when combined with sorafenib can help curb pancreatic and primary liver cancers.
Researchers from the Kimmel Cancer Centre at Jefferson have found that vitamin K when combined with sorafenib can help curb pancreatic and primary liver cancers.
According to Dr Brian Carr, professor of Medical Oncology at the Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, vitamin K1 or vitamin K2, combined with sorafenib (Nexavar) each have shown activity against the growth of human cancer cells by inhibiting the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway.
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Pancreatic cancer often involves its exocrine part. It grows aggressively, and often detected late. Treatment options include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
Pancreatic cancer often involves its exocrine part. It grows aggressively, and often detected late. Treatment options include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
During the pancreas cancer study, Dr. Carr and his colleagues tested each K vitamin in combination with sorafenib in pancreatic cell lines.
They found that each combination inhibited cell growth, induced cell death and decreased the expression of ERK.
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However, this dose was ineffective when used alone.
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Fat soluble and water soluble vitamins maintain the functioning of the body in its natural way. Deficiency of these vitamins can lead to problems like night blindness, scurvy, beri beri, etc.
Fat soluble and water soluble vitamins maintain the functioning of the body in its natural way. Deficiency of these vitamins can lead to problems like night blindness, scurvy, beri beri, etc.
"One of the attractions of the combination of sorafenib and vitamin K is that both of these agents are already approved for human use.
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Anti-Cancer Drug Sorafenib Increases Lifespan in Advanced Liver Cancer Patients
Researchers have found that sorafenib (Nexavar) helps patients with advanced liver cancer live about 44 percent longer compared with patients who did not receive the anti-cancer drug.
Researchers have found that sorafenib (Nexavar) helps patients with advanced liver cancer live about 44 percent longer compared with patients who did not receive the anti-cancer drug.
In the second study, vitamin K1 also enhanced the effects of sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma or primary liver cancer.
The researchers previously had shown that vitamin K alone is a weak inhibitor of HCC growth, however, the new study showed that the combination inhibits the growth of HCC, induces cell death and decreases the expression of ERK.
"Many patients need to discontinue treatment with sorafenib because of the debilitating side effects. If we could lower the dose, more patients would be able to complete their treatment," said Dr Carr.
The findings were presented at the AACR 100th Annual Meeting 2009 in Denver.
Source-ANI
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