By Laura Crowley 27-Mar-2008 – The antioxidant resveratrol, found in grape skins and red wine, can cripple the function of pancreatic cancer cells while sensitising them to chemotherapy, says new research. Resveratrol is known for its ability to protect plants from bacteria and fungi, while previous research has also found it helps prevent the negative effects of high-calorie diets and has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer potential. While this study, published this month in Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, looked at the way the antioxidant may aid pancreatic cancer treatment, it also contributes to the growing knowledge on the health benefits arising from ingredients of red wine. As well as disabling the function of the cancer cells by reaching and reacting with the mitochondria (the cell's energy source), researchers found that when they were pre-treated with resveratrol before being irradiated, it resulted in a type of cell death called apoptosis. This is an important goal of cancer therapy. "Antioxidant research is very active and very seductive right now," said Paul Okunieff, chief of radiation oncology at the University of Rochester Medical Centre. "The challenge lies in finding the right concentration and how it works inside the cell. Resveratrol seems to have a therapeutic gain by making tumour cells more sensitive to radiation and making normal tissue less sensitive." The study To build on such findings, Okunieff began studying resveratrol as a tumour sensitizer, which is when the link to the mitochondria was uncovered. Researchers divided pancreatic cancer cells into two groups: cells treated without resveratrol then iodised, and ones treated with resveratrol at a relatively high dose of 50mg per ml before being iodised. The amount of resveratrol in red wine can vary between types of grapes and growing seasons, and ranges can be as high as 30 mg per ml. But the researchers said higher doses are expected to be safe as long as a physician monitors the patient. The study found that resveratrol reduced the function of proteins in the pancreatic cancer cell membranes responsible for pumping chemotherapy out of the cell, therefore making them more sensitive to the treatment. Additionally, the antioxidant triggered the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), causing apoptosis, and depolarised the mitochondrial membranes, indicating a decrease in the cell's potential to function. The researchers said the discovery is important because the mitochnodria contains its own DNA and can continuously supply the cell with energy when functioning fully. Stopping the energy flow can therefore help stop cancer. In investigating why the pancreatic cancer cells are particularly resistant to chemotherapy and therefore reactive to the inclusion of resveratrol, the team found that the natural pumping of digestive enzymes to the duodenum actually flushes out chemotherapy from pancreas cells. But as resveratrol interferes with the cancer cells' energy source, it also may decrease the power available to pump the treatment out of the cell. Okunieff said: "While additional studies are needed, this research indicated that resveratrol has a promising future as part of the treatment for cancer." Sources Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology 2008;614:179-86 "Anti-cancer effect of resveratrol is associated with induction of apoptosis via a mitochondrial pathway alignment" Authors: Paul Okunieff, Weimin Sun, Wei Wang, Jung Kim, Shanmin Yang

What You Don't Want to Hear

"You have breast cancer" are words that can put fear into anyone's heart, and knowing breast cancer symptoms may help save your life. Women should follow their doctors recommendations regarding mammograms. Early detection of breast cancer means more treatment options and a better chance of cure.

What to Look For

While often breast lumps aren't cancerous, the most common sign of breast cancer, for both men and women, is usually a thickening or lump in the breast. Generally, early breast cancer does not cause pain. Five warning signs include:

• A change in the size or contours of your breast
• Any flattening or indentation of the skin over your breast
• A spontaneous clear or bloody discharge from your nipple, often associated with a breast lump
• Retraction or indentation of your nipple
• Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange

A change in size or feel of your breast can be caused by a number of conditions other than breast cancer. Pregnancy and your menstrual cycle naturally changes breast tissue during that time. Fibrocystic changes, cysts, fibroadenomas, infection or injury are other possible causes of noncancerous (benign) breast changes.

What Reduces Risk

Two molecules, touted as "miracle molecules", help reduce the risk of breast cancer. These molecules are Resveratrol and Ellagic Acid. A great source of these comes from grapes (red wine) and pomegranates. Supplementing your diet with these antioxidant molecules can have a significant effect on your chances of hearing those words "you have breast cancer".

Grandparents on both sides of my family died from lung cancer and an Aunt too. My grandparents and aunt smoked for years and lung cancer was the result. Many people get cancer and never did anything, at least that they were aware of, to get it.

However they may have gotten it, and whatever type of cancer it is, it affects those who love them. But if you are a smoker, stop it. I know it's hard, I smoked too, but if you don't stop, you could get lung cancer yourself and die. Is that worth your next puff? Think about who will miss you. My grandfather is the one I saw up close. He also had throat cancer and had his larynx removed. He went from being a strong active man to a withered shell who couldn't talk. It was very sad.

Some people go through life and don't have someone they love get cancer, but it's rare. I have many friends who have gone through breast cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and Non-Hodgkins lymphoma, and they have all survived. I celebrate their time still here.

Certainly time has made a difference as cancer treatment was not as advanced when my grandparents had cancer.

Those who get cancer are not the only victims. Cancer impacts families and friends too. If you are a smoker, seriously, consider quitting. If you know a smoker, don't nag them to quit, just tell them you love them.

Cancer is bad, do what you can to avoid it, and if someone you love gets it, cherish them and the time you have with them. That's good advice even without cancer. Cherish those you love, and tell them.