Cell Membrane Receptors and Cancer
In recent years cancer researchers have discovered that an important part of the puzzle in cancer development lies in the expression of certain cell membrane receptors and their stimulation by various chemical agents (ligands). Stimulation of various cell membrane receptors by specific ligands produce profound effects on cellular proliferation, cell growth, cell differentiation and apoptosis (programmed cell death). As an example, the binding of vitamin D to the vitamin D receptor on the cell membrane, triggers a series of reactions (known as signal transduction) that ultimately promotes the induction of intracellular messengers, which slow the rate of cell division, and promotes cell maturation; two outcomes linked to reduction of cancer development.
On the other hand the over-expression of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors (EGFR) and other members of the tyrosine kinase family are frequently indicated in epithelial cancers, including colon cancer.
The epidermal growth factor (EGF) family of receptor tyrosine kinases consists of four receptors, EGF-R (ErbB1), ErbB2 (Neu), ErbB3, and ErbB4.
In response to these discoveries, pharmaceutical companies have produced a number of drugs that inhibit the activation of specific receptors of the EGFR series (EGFR inhibitor drugs). However, in general these drugs have had limited success because cancer cells usually possess more than one type of EGFR receptor. As such, researchers conclude that what is needed to help prevent colon cancer, as well to help treat colon cancer, is a broad-spectrum EGFR receptor inhibitor that inhibits signal transduction for all EGFR cell membrane receptors. (pan-erb signal transduction inhibitors).
To this end there is a naturally-occurring pan-erb signal transduction inhibitor that is showing promise in experimental and animal studies, known as EGFR Related Protein. This protein occurs naturally and thus, its use as a targeted therapeutic agent is unlikely to produce toxic side effects.
Curcumin Is A Natural Pan-erb Signal Transduction Inhibitor In Cancer Prevention
With respect to natural medicine,
it is well documented that curcumin, the active ingredient in the spice turmeric, also acts as a powerful inhibitor of EGFR receptors. Experimental studies, animal studies and a recent Phase I clinical trial, have shown that curcumin inhibits the growth of colon cancer cells and reduces tumor incidence in high risk human subjects. Curcumin inhibits the EGFR receptor, which in turn inhibits the propagation of metabolic reactions (e.g. decreased synthesis of the tumor promoting messenger NF-kB) leading to inhibition of cell replication of cancer cells and preneoplastic cells.
Curcumin also exerts anti-inflammatory effects on cells by inhibiting synthesis of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins. Inhibiting pro-inflammatory prostaglandins has also been shown to reduce risk of colon cancer as demonstrated by studies linking the effects of aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduced incidence of colon cancer. However, unlike aspirin, curcumin does not cause gastrointestinal erosion leading to ulceration and bleeding disorders.
Prostaglandin series-2 and its metabolites have been shown to contribute to the cancer processes through one or more of several mechanisms including increased proliferation, apoptosis, enhanced carcinogen metabolism or modulation of the immune system
Also:
Gummy exudates of the herb boswellia have been traditionally used as anti-arthritic and anti-cancer medications. Boswellic acid and its acetates isolated from these gummy exudates were found to be inhibitors of topoisomerases and to be non-redox, non-competitive specific inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX). All of these properties are key factors in preventing and controlling cancer. Experimental evidence has shown that boswellic acid acetates isolated from Boswellia carterri Birdw inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in prostate cancer cells by inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase. Other studies have shown that boswellic constituents exhibited potent cytotoxic activities against three types of human neuroblastoma cells.
Summary
A strong body of evidence indicates that an important aspect of cancer prevention involves containment of prostaglandin series-2 synthesis and inhibition of cell membrane receptors associated with the receptor tyrosine kinase family (EGFR, ErB-2, ErB-3 and ErB-4). Curcumin, derived from the spice turmeric, has shown significant anti-tumor properties against colon cancer. Curcumin has been shown to inhibit the receptor tyrosine kinase family and decreases synthesis of prostaglandin series-2. The anti-inflammatory herbs ginger, boswellia and white willow bark extract have also been shown to inhibit prostaglandin series-2 synthesis, as well as other pro-inflammatory mediators, and experimental evidence suggests that their active constituents possess important anti-tumor properties. As such, health practitioners may wish to encourage their patients to ingest a herbal combination supplement product each day containing curcumin, ginger, white willow bark extract and boswellia, as an additional part of a wellness and cancer prevention program. This may have important applications especially in regards to colon cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death.
Link to Original Text Article
References:
Reddy S, Rishi A.K., Xu H et al. Mechanisms of curcumin-and EGF-receptor related protein (ERRP) – dependent growth inhibition on colon cancer cells. Am J Clin Nutr, 55; 2: 185-194. 2006
Ciardiello, F, Caputo R, Bianco, R. Antitumor Effect and Potentiation of Cytotoxic Drugs Activity in Human Cancer Cells by ZD-1839 (Iressa), an Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-selective Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor. Clinical Cancer Research; 6: 2053-2063, May 2000
Ciardiello F and Tortora G. Interactions between the epidermal growth factor receptor and type I protein kinase A: biological significance and therapeutic implications. Clinical Cancer Research, 4,; 4: 821-828: 1998
Al-Achi. Anti-inflammatory Herbs. U.S. Pharmacist. 29:03 (Posted 03/15/2004)
McCarty M.F. Targeting Multiple Signaling Pathways as a Strategy for Managing Prostate Cancer: Multifocal Signal Modulation Therapy. Integrative Cancer Therapies 3; 4:349-380. 2004
Wells, A. EGF receptor. Int. J. Biochem. Cell Biol., 31: 637-643. 1999.
Lucy takes 1 capsule of COX-2 Combo from swansonvitamins.
Lucy never did radiation or chemo, she only did the Tippner Protocol. The Tippner Cancer Protocol combines immunotherapy and molecular cancer therapy using off the shelf readily available inexpensive natural substances. Here is her list. She is past 3 years after diagnosis by biopsy
I buy most of the stuff from Swanson Vitamins. They are cheaper, in capsules for dosage changes, and carry almost everything I give to Lucy except for the Chinese Herbs Stasis Breaker prescription, and the Low Dose Naltrexone prescription. Here is a $5 off coupon link I found
