After looking through my files for the uses of supplements as an adjunctive treatment for breast cancer, I was intrigued by the breast tumor regression effect of high dose (390 mg/day) coenzyme Q10. A full double blind placebo controlled trial of this supplement in the treatment of breast cancer has apparently not been done, probably (IMHO) because this is not a patentable (read profitable) drug. However the existing data is encouraging. Following is an abstract I typed in of one report.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 212(1): 172-177 July 6,
1995
"Progress on Therapy of Breast Cancer With Vitamin Q10 and the regression
of Metastases"
Abstract:
Over 35 years, data and knowledge have internationally evolved from biochemical, biomedical and clinical research on vitamin Q10 (coenzyme Q10; CoQ10) and cancer, which led in 1993 to overt complete regression of the tumors in two cases of breast cancer. Continuing this research, three additional breast cancer patients also underwent a conventional protocol of therapy which included a daily oral dosage of 390 mg of vitamin Q10 (bio-quinone of Pharma Nord) during the complete trials over 3-5 years. the numerous metastases in the liver of a 44-year-old patient "disappeared", and no signs of metastases were found elsewhere. a 49-year-old patient, on a dosage of 390 mg of vitamin Q10, revealed no signs of tumor in the pleural cavity after six months, and her condition was excellent. A 75-year-old patient with carcinoma in one breast, after lumpectomy and 390 mg of CoQ10, showed no cancer in the tumor bed or metastases. Control blood levels of CoQ10 of 0.83-0.97 and of 0.62 microgram/ml increased to 3.34-3.64 and 3.77 microgram/ml, respectively, on therapy with CoQ10 for patients A-MRH and EEL.
Additional quote from the above research report:
"previously observed that a dose level of 90 mg of CoQ10 in breast cases for ca 8 months was ineffective, since only 6 of the 32 breast cases showed even a hint of possible clinical regression on CoQ10."