Cancer affects thousands of people worldwide, and many are searching for alternative therapies to use alongside conventional treatments. Recently, scientists at the Tel Aviv Medical Center in Israel have discovered that combining modified citrus pectin (MCP) with radiation therapy enhances the anti-cancer and anti-metastatic effects of the treatment in aggressive prostate cancer cells.
Modified Citrus Pectin Enhances Radiation Treatment
MCP increases the radio-sensitivity of aggressive prostate cancer cells. Earlier research has shown MCP’s anti-cancer abilities, such as inducing apoptosis (cell death), inhibiting proliferation and metastasis, and working in tandem with chemotherapeutic drugs and botanical compounds.
MCP also helps protect against inflammation and fibrosis because it binds with the pro-inflammatory protein, galectin-3. While radiation therapy is a common treatment for aggressive prostate cancer, the effectiveness decreases because of radio-resistance. Modified citrus pectin’s ability to increase radio-sensitivity is promising for both patients and researchers.
Notably, MCP’s ability to protect against inflammation and fibrosis via galectin-3 inhibition helps minimize fibrotic damage to healthy tissues, which is a common side effect of radiation treatment.
Study Results
In their study, the researchers used cellular viability and clonogenic assays to assess the effects of MCP on the viability of aggressive prostate cancer cell lines alone and together with radiation treatment. They discovered that MCP alone led to a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability.
When MCP was combined with radiation treatment, they found synergistic effects against prostate cancer cell lines DU-145 and CI-1 and added effects against PC-3. Also, they saw a 20% reduction in cell migration and a 40% decrease in cell invasion when treating cells with MCP.
These results suggest MCP could be used to selectively enhance cytotoxicity and overcome radio-resistance, making it an effective radio-sensitizer for aggressive prostate cancer cells.
Modified Citrus Pectin: Origin and Benefits
The modified citrus pectin used in this study comes from the pith of citrus fruit peels. It is then transformed into a specific molecular weight and structure using a proprietary enzymatic and pH process.
Previous research has demonstrated MCP’s benefits in various cancer types, including breast, prostate, and colon cancer. Apart from its anti-cancer properties, MCP is also an effective chelator of toxic metals, as well as a selective immune enhancer shown to activate and increase the cytotoxicity of NK cells ex vivo. This means MCP could potentially provide a wide range of health benefits in regard to treating various diseases.
Breaking Barriers and Providing Hope
The integration of alternative therapies like MCP with conventional medical treatments opens new avenues for cancer patients. By enhancing the effects of standard procedures like radiation treatment, we might be able to reduce the time and overall impact of the treatment on a patient.
The promising results of this study highlight the potential of MCP in improving radiation therapy for aggressive prostate cancer patients, bringing new hope to those who desperately need it. By breaking down the barriers between alternative and conventional medicine, we might be closer to finding innovative treatments that benefit cancer patients worldwide.
