On The Leading Edge

Studies from throughout the world that can help you live longer, healthier lives.

Medical Updates succinctly review studies that are of importance to those seeking an extended lifespan. The complete scientific abstracts for these studies are available as a special service to Life Extension Foundation members. If you read here about new studies you want to learn more about or want to show to your doctor, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the:

Studies from throughout the world that can help you live longer, healthier lives.

Medical Updates succinctly review studies that are of importance to those seeking an extended lifespan. The complete scientific abstracts for these studies are available as a special service to Life Extension Foundation members. If you read here about new studies you want to learn more about or want to show to your doctor, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Life Extension Foundation, P.O. Box 229120, Hollywood, Fla., 33022, USA.

Please enclose a small donation (minimum $1, please) to cover the costs of copying and processing. We will immediately send you the actual scientific abstract(s), with the names of the researchers and the address of the research institution so you can inquire about a new medical technology.

Click here to access the Complete Scientific Abstracts Online.

1. As many as 80 percent of 80-year-old men were shown to have prostate cancer cells present at autopsy, but only 10 percent of them will every be diagnosed with it, and only 3 percent will ever die from it.
   Cancer, 1997, Vol 79, Iss 10, pp 1977-1986, CL ShraderBogen, JL Kjellberg, CP McPherson, CL Murray.
2. Pygeum africanum extract, sold under the trade name Tadenan as a drug in Europe, is used to treat the urinary symptoms of BPH. In a study conducted in rats, pygeum extract was specifically shown to inhibit the benign proliferation of prostate cells. One mechanism of suppression of prostate cell growth was the inhibition of protein kinase C, an enzyme involved in both benign and malignant cell over-proliferation. Soy genistein is also a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C. Journal of Urology, 1997, Vol 157, Iss 6, pp 2381-2387, F Yablonsky, V Nichols, JP Riffaud, F Bellamy.
3. Doctors reported on a patient whose prostate cancer had become hormone-refractory. Flutamide withdrawal, plus the addition of hydrocortisone, has resulted in a 46-month period of total remission. There is currently no evidence of prostate cancer in this patient. Repeat biopsies that had previously showed positive are now negative. The doctors believe that this one case, and the results of previously published studies indicates that flutamide withdrawal and hydrocortisone therapy is an option for the hormone refractory disease in the advanced-state prostate cancer patient.
   British Journal of Cancer, 1997, Vol 75, Iss 8, pp 1111-1118, RR Tjandrawinata, R Dahiya, M Hughes-fulford.
4. A total of 274 men, after radical prostatectomy and external beam radiation, completed questionnaires about their quality of life. The conclusions from the questionnaires showed that men who had undergone these radical conventional therapies experienced difficulty long after treatment. In this study, the prostatectomy group fared worse in sexual and urinary functions, whereas the radiation therapy group experienced more bowel dysfunction.
   Cancer And Metastasis Reviews, 1997, Vol 16, Iss 1-2, pp 29-66, EN Lalani, ME Laniado, PD Abel.
5. Prostate cancer was detected in 22 percent of men 50 years or older whose PSA reading was between 2.6 and 4. All cancers detected were clinically localized. This study indicates that PSA readings over 2.6 may represent a 22-percent risk of prostate cancer. The use of a free PSA test would help determine which of these men whose PSA readings were over 2.6 had prostate cancer, and thus reduce the number of unnecessary biopsies.
   Drugs & Aging, 1997, Vol 10, Iss 6, pp 473-485, LR Wiseman, CM Spencer.
6. In men with PSA levels over 10, and/or Gleason scores equal to or greater than 7, only 60 to 84 percent were free of PSA-measured disease progression three years after conventional therapy. This study indicated the need for adjuvant (assisting) therapies such as hormone blockade. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 1997, Vol 15, Iss 4, pp 1465-1469, AV Damico, R Whittington, SB Malkowicz, D Schultz, JE Tomaszewski, A Wein.
7. Over a five-year period, prostate cancer patients whose family members also had the disease had a relapse-free survival of only 29 percent, compared with relapse-free survival of 59 percent in similarly staged prostate-cancer patients whose family members did not have prostate cancer. These findings show that familial prostate cancer may be more aggressive than non-familial forms, and that standard clinical and pathological measurements may not adequately predict this course. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 1997, Vol 15, Iss 4, pp 1478-1480, PA Kupelian, VA Kupelian, JS Witte, R Macklis, EA Klein.
8. The free radical-generating fatty acid called arachidonic acid was shown to stimulate prostate cancer cell growth. The molecular pathway of arachidonic stimulation involved the inflammatory enzyme 5-lipooxygenase. Lipooxygenase is also involved in the formation of abnormal blood clots (thrombosis). Nutrients that specifically inhibit 5-lipooxygenase include garlic. Drugs that are beneficial include ibuprofen and aspirin. Fish oil supplements in high doses have been shown to suppress arachidonic acid formation.
   Cancer, 1997, vol 80, iss 2, pp 237-241 J Nakashima, Y Imai, M Tachibana, S Baba, K Hiramatsu, M Murai.
9. Prostaglandins are synthesized from arachidonic acid by the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase. A particularly dangerous prostaglandin is PGE2, which is involved in many chronic inflammatory diseases. The administration of PGE2 to prostate, breast and colon cancer cells resulted in increased cellular proliferation. An ibuprofen derivative called flurbiprofen inhibited PGE2-induced prostate cancer cell growth. Aspirin, ibuprofen and fish oil are several available agents that inhibit PGE2 synthesis.
   Cancer, 1997, Vol 79, Iss 10, pp 1964-1968, WD Figg, G Kroog, P Duray, MM Walther, N Patronas, O Sartor, E Reed.
10. In advanced, hormone-refractory (resistant) prostate cancer, the chemotherapy drug mitoxantrone, in combination with a prednisone or hydrocortisone, showed clinical efficacy in 35-40 percent of patients. Quality of life improvements were noted, with less toxicity encountered compared with traditional chemotherapy drugs. The administration of mitoxantrone, however, did not result in increased survival, compared with corticosteroid drugs being used alone.
    Journal of the American Medical Association, 1997, Vol 277, Iss 18, pp 1452-1455, WJ Catalona, DS Smith, DK Ornstein.
11. In men with advanced metastasized prostate cancer (Stage D1 and D2) who were previously untreated, combination therapy utilizing Lupron, flutamide and pharmaceutically administered suramin produced an overall positive response rate of 67 percent. There were three complete responses in this trial of 48 patients. There were 18 deaths reported in this group. Urological Research, 1997, Vol 25, Suppl. 2, pp S67-S71, MP Wirth, SE Froschermaier.
12. A new term, "anti-androgen withdraw syndrome," has been coined to deal with prostate cancer patients who become refractory (not yielding to treatment) to hormone blockade. It appears that upon withdrawal of flutamide, Casodex and other similar drugs, the PSA level goes sharply down. The doctors advocate a trial of anti-androgen withdrawal therapy prior to the initiation of toxic therapies.
    Journal of Clinical Oncology, 1997, Vol 15, Iss 4, pp 1470-1477, NA Dawson, WD Figg, MR Cooper, O Sartor, RC Bergan, AM Senderowicz, Steinberg, B Weinberger, EA Sausville, E Reed, CE Myers.

CANCER: STATISTICS AND TREATMENT

1. Cimetidine (Tagamet) given to colorectal cancer patients dramatically improved local immune response when given one week prior to surgery. A positive immune response was seen in 21 percent of the control patients, while 56 percent of the patients in the Tagamet group experienced an improved local lymphocyte immune response. Histamine showed an inhibitory effect on lymphocyte proliferation, and Tagamet antagonized the immune-suppressing effects of histamine. Tagamet was also shown to increase lymphocyte infiltration into colorectal cancer cells which correlated with an improved three-year survival.
   Cancer, 1997, Vol 80, Iss 1, pp 15-21, WJ Adams, DL Morris.
2. A garlic extract was shown to enhance differentiation and inhibit proliferation in leukemia, liver and breast cancer cells by inhibiting the incorporation of thymidine into the DNA of these cancer cells. Thymidine is a major growth factor that enables cancer cells to proliferate out of control.
   International Journal of Oncology, 1997, Vol 11, Iss 1, pp 181-185, MA Lea, US Ayyala.
3. Green tea polyphenols were shown to inhibit DNA strand breaks in lung cells exposed to oxidants. This mechanism was identified as one of the ways that green tea may prevent lung cancer.
   Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 1997, Vol 23, Iss 2, pp 235-242, P Leanderson, AO Faresjo, C Tagesson.
4. The American Cancer Society published a study showing increased prevalence of invasive cancer occurring in Connecticut, up 40 percent in males and 13 percent in females from 1982 to the end of 1994. Using this data, an estimated 7.7 million Americans were projected to be diagnosed with cancer in the year 2000, and 13.2 million Americans in 2030. The American Cancer Society said these disturbing trends indicated the need for primary prevention of cancer and for studies to determine how those diagnosed with invasive cancer became long-term survivors. (This study further substantiated the Life Extension Foundation's grim predictions made years ago about the growing FDA-induced cancer epidemic. It is the Foundation's position that bureaucratic regulations keep the findings of cancer research from getting to cancer patients.)
   Cancer, 1997, vol 80, Iss 1, pp 136-141, AP Polednak.

1. Prevent DNA single- and double-strand breaks in response to magnetic field exposure. Brain cells of rats were examined after exposure to magnetic fields, which caused severe free radical-induced breakage of cellular DNA strands. Melatonin was shown to block DNA strand breaking in response to magnetic fields. The researchers commented that the protective effect of Melatonin could possibly prevent a wide range of neurological and oncological diseases.
   Journal of Pineal Research, 1997, Vol 22, Iss 3, pp 152-162, H Lai, NP Singh.
2. Suppress the vasospastic effect of hydrogen peroxide to the umbilical artery. Melatonin's ability to suppress arterial spasm was attributed to its ability to scavenge the dangerous hydroxyl radical. Spasm of a coronary artery can cause a heart attack and spasm of a cerebral artery can cause a stroke.
   Journal of Pineal Research, 1997, Vol 22, Iss 3, pp 152-162, H Lai, NP Singh.
3. Relieve some of the acute effects of migraine headaches when administered at night in the form of an infusion that produced Melatonin blood levels slightly above normal physiological ranges. Previous studies had indicated reduced incidences of migraine attacks when Melatonin was taken orally every night.
   Cephalalgia, 1997, Vol 17, Iss 4, pp 511-517, B Claustrat, J brun, M Geoffriau, R Zaidan, C Mallo, G Chazot.
4. Protect hippocampal cells in the brain against re-perfusion-ischemic injury when administered at the time that blood flow was cut off.
   Brain Research, 1997, Vol 755, Iss 2, pp 335-338, S Cho, TH Joh, HW Baik, C Dibinis, BT Volpe.
5. Protect against brain damage inducted by ischemia (no blood flow) or kainate (a free radical generating enzyme).
   Brain Research, 1997, Vol 755, Iss 1, pp 91-100, C Cazevielle, NN Osborne.
6. Protect against gastroduodenal injury caused in rats by oral ethanol intake.
   British Journal of Pharmacology, 1997, Vol 121, Iss 2, pp 264-270, D Melchiorri, E Sewerynek, RJ Reiter, GG Ortiz, B Poeggeler, G Nistico.

DHEA HAS BEEN SHOWN TO:

1. Potentially treat atopic dermatitis by regulating certain cytokines that cause the autoimmune reactions.
   Archives of Dermatological Research, 1997, Vol 289, Iss 7, pp 410-414, N Tabata, H Tagami, T Terui.
2. Reduce the incidence and severity of collagen-induced arthritis in mice. Arthritis and Rheumatism, 1997 Vol 40, Iss 5, pp 907-911, PJ Williams, RHV Jones, TW Rademacher.

1. Increase brain cell energy levels (cAMP) and rescue neurons from potentially lethal damage. This effect appears independent of deprenyl's well-known mechanism of inhibiting cell damaging MAO B.
   Neuroreport, 1997, Vol 8, Iss 9-10, pp 2165-2168, MA Riva, R Molteni, G Racagni.
2. Protect brain cells against the effects of glutamate-induced toxicity. Brain cells use glutamine for energy production, but in the process of producing energy, excess glutamate can be released that slowly damages brain cells. In addition to deprenyl, vitamin E also was shown to protect against glutamate- induced cytotoxicity.
   Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 1997, Vol 23, Iss 4, pp 637-647, CMF Pereira, CR Oliveira.
3. Prolong survival time up to 200 percent in immuno-suppressed mice, compared with control animals. This study also showed that alpha lipoic acid increased survival time by 50 percent compared to control animals. (Note: Anyone taking deprenyl for anti-aging purposes should not take mre than 15 mg a week. About 10 mg a week is considered ideal.)
   Arzneimittel-Forschung/Drug Research, 1997, Vol47, Iss 6, pp 776-780, HJ Freisleben, A Neeb, F Lehr, H Ackerman.

1. Restore urinary filtration and flow to rats with severe kidney disease by suppressing free radicals that cause tubulointerstitial injury. Biochemical and Molecular Medicine, 1997, Vol 61, Iss 1, pp82-86, NB Kuemmerle, RB Brandt, W Chan, RJ Kreig, JCM Chan.

2. Inhibit many factors thought to cause colon cancer. This study emphasized the specific protective mechanisms related to alpha tocopherol found in most vitamin supplement and gamma-tocopherol .
   Free Radical Research, 1997, Vol 26, Iss 6, pp 565-583, AT Diplock.

3. Protect against enhanced free radical damage caused by the cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin (Mevacor).
   FEBS Letters, 1997, Vol 410, Iss 2-3, pp 254-258, A Palomaki, K Malmimiemi, T MetsaKetela.

4. Protect immune cells against the effects of thermal stress. Thermal stress was shown to suppress immune cell production and functions, and vitamin E totally abrogated the inhibitory effects caused by high temperatures.,BR> Journal of Biological Regulators and Homeostatic Agents, 1996, Vol 10, Iss, 2-3. pp 54-59, O Franci, F Ranfi, C Scaccini, A Amici, N Merendino, G Tommasi, E Piccolella.

5. Protect human muscle cells against ischemia and reperfusion injury caused by major surgical procedures. The doctors indicated that vitamin E may be a valuable new tool for protection against the blood flow interruptions that occur during major operations.
   Histology and Histopathology, 1997, Vol 12, Iss 3, pp 663-669, L Formigili, LI Manneschi, Atani, E Gandini, C Adembri, C Pratesi, GP, Novelli, SZ Orlandini.

6. Significantly inhibit the growth of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells when vitamin E succinate was combined with chemotherapy drugs. Vitamin E succinate allowed lower concentrations of the drugs to be used, reducing toxicity potential.
   Prostaglandin Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, 1997, Vol 56, Iss 6, pp, 461-465, TMA ElAttar, AS Virji.

7. Improve the symptoms of tardive dyskenesia. In an trial involving 16 patients, significant reductions in the abnormal involuntary movements score were found when taking vitamin E. This finding, which corroborates previous studies, indicates a possible role for vitamin E in the treatment of tardive dyskenesia.
   Human Psychopharmacology-Clinical and Experimental, 1997 Vol 12, Iss 3, pp 217-220, PN Dannon, E Lepkifker, I Iancu, R Ziv, N Horesh, M Kotler.

8. Enhance the immune response to pulmonary influenza in mice. High doses of vitamin E significantly enhanced antibody levels in older mice exposed to influenza. Younger animals did not experience a significant immune improvement in response to high doses of vitamin E. This study adds another piece of evidence to the critical importance of supplemental vitamin E in the aged.
   Journal of Infectious Disease, 1997, Vol 176, Iss 1, pp 273-276, MG Hayek, SF Taylor, BS Bender, S.N. Had, M Madden, DE Smith, S Eghtesada, S.N. Madden.

9. "Improve substantially the quality of human life, particularly for people of advancing years." This was the conclusion of a scientist who wrote an extensive overview about the effects of vitamin E in humans.
   Nutrition, 1997, Vol 13, Iss 5, pp 450-460, P Weber, A Bendich, LJ Machlin.

10. Protect polyunsaturated fatty acids from oxidizing in the body, enhance immune response, and prevent abnormal platelet adhesion that can contribute to atherosclerosis and cause an acute thrombotic heart attack or stroke.
    British Medical Journal, 1997, Vol 314, Iss 7098, pp 1845-1846, A Gazis, S Page, J Cockcroft.