Nutrient-Tamoxifen Combo Could Aid Breast Cancer Patients

CHENNAI, IndiaBreast cancer patients who receive niacin in addition to tamoxifen treatment may have less chance of metastases, according to new research out of the University of Madras (Biol Pharm Bull, 30, 2:367-70, 2007). Scientists randomized 84 breast cancer patients to receive a daily supplement100 mg coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), 10 mg riboflavin and 50 mg niacinplus 10 mg tamoxifen (TAM) twice a day. Circulating breast cancer tumor markers were elevated in untreated patients, though marker levels significantly dropped after more than one year of TAM therapy. Patients on TAM for one year who also took the nutrient combination for 45 or 90 days showed significantly reduced levels of carcinoembryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen 15-3, both of which are considered reliable indicators of impending relapse.