Forskolin may suppress chronic myelogenous leukemia progression

November 15, 2005

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In this issue
	Life Extension Update Exclusive
		Forskolin may suppress chronic myelogenous leukemia progression
	Protocol
		Leukemia and lymphoma
	Featured Products
		Forskolin
		Ultra Soy Extract

Life Extension Update Exclusive

Forskolin may suppress leukemia progression

In the November 2005 issue of the journal Cancer Cell, scientists from Ohio State University identified a new pathway of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) progression. Chronic myelogenous leukemia develops when two chromosomes erroneously exchange genetic material during cell division, creating a new gene that produces the cancer-causing enzyme Bcr-Abl. Bcr-Abl turns on cell growth signals, which, when unchecked by phosphatases, result in the abnormal production of white blood cells. The disease is currently treated with the so-called wonder-drug Gleevec which blocks Bcr-Abl activity, but a large number of patients develop resistance to the treatment.

Until now, it was unknown how the disease progressed through its well defined stages. Danilo Perrotti, who is an assistant professor in the department of molecular virology, immunology and medical genetics at Ohio State University and colleagues discovered that Bcr-Abl stimulates the protein SET which inhibits the tumor suppressor phosphatase PP2A. The team discovered that in chronic myelogenous leukemia, PP2A suppression only occurs in the final, acute stage of the disease.

Acting on previous research findings that showed that forskolin, extracted from the root of the ornamental plant coleus forskohlii, could restore PP2A function, the extract was tested on normal, Gleevec-sensitive and Gleevec-resistant human CML cells. The researchers found that forskolin restored normal PP2A function, while reducing the cancer cells' ability to grow by up to 90 percent. It also induced cancer cell death and differentiation while failing to effect normal cells. When forskolin was tested on mice, withdrawal of the compound resulted in the death of some of the animals while others showed signs of Bcr-Abl activity, but when forskolin was readministered, Bcr-Abl was blocked.

Dr Perotti commented, "We believe these are significant findings. We have uncovered a key process that underlies progression in CML and identified an agent that can block it. We also have shown that forskolin can reinstate normal cell functioning, even in Gleevec-resistant cells that do not respond to any treatment currently available."

Protocol

Leukemia and lymphoma

Leukemias are cancers of the blood-forming organs, and lymphomas are cancers of the lymphatic tissues. In general, leukemias and lymphomas respond well to the conventional treatment methods of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Because there are many different types of these cancers, treatment is based on the specific diagnosis of the disease.

Leukemia, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma generally respond well to conventional therapies. There are many different types of these diseases; therefore, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are individualized. Patients who do not respond well to chemotherapy and radiation therapy may benefit from other treatments such as bone marrow transplantation or a peripheral blood stem-cell transplant. In addition to conventional treatment, there are a number of alternative therapies available. Patients with certain types of leukemia or lymphoma may derive beneficial effects from Vesanoid, vitamin A, vitamin D3, curcumin, green tea, and soy extracts. It is imperative that patients have regular monitoring of tumor markers (or tumor size) to assess the usefulness of any treatment. Consult your hematologist or oncologist prior to initiating alternative treatments.

A potentially beneficial adjuvant approach for leukemia and lymphoma uses soy extracts with high genistein content. Genistein is an inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinase, the enzyme that cancer cells require in order to replicate. A study conducted to assess the effects of genistein in several types of cancer showed that protein kinase C activity was inhibited, subsequently retarding the growth of cancer cells (Carlo-Stella et al. 1996a; 1996b).

Studies suggest that genistein may also enhance the effects of chemotherapy via a blockade of a number of signal transduction pathways. These are:

Inhibition of the EGF receptor via an interference with the transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) pathway (Bhatia et al. 2001)
Suppression of VEGF, considered essential for cancer cell survival (Mukhopadhyay et al. 1995)
Suppression of bFGF, a potent growth cytokine (Hurley et al. 1996)

The blockade or inhibition of these important signal transduction pathways is dose-dependent, that is, more is better.

https://www.lifeextension.com/protocols/cancer/leukemia

Featured Products

Forskolin

The ancient medicinal plant Coleus forskohlii is the source of the compound forskolin which possesses unique biological activity. The basic mechanism of action of forskolin is the activation of an enzyme, adenylate cyclase, which increases cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in cells. Cyclic AMP is perhaps the most important cell-regulating compound. Once formed it activates many other enzymes involved in diverse cellular functions.

https://www.lifeextension.com/newshop/items/item00300.html

Ultra Soy Extract

Ultra Soy Extract has been reformulated to include organic, non-GMO Soynatto® fermented soy food. Ultra Soy now contains an even higher ratio of genistein/genistin to other isoflavones.

Numerous studies have found benefits associated with increased consumption of fermented soy. Scientists collecting data on isoflavones in soy found fermentation enhanced the bioavailability of soy products (miso and natto), allowing them to have significantly greater amounts of the more active aglycone forms (not bound to a sugar) such as genistein than do unfermented soy products such as soybeans, soy milk, and tofu.

https://www.lifeextension.com/newshop/items/item00785.html

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