CoQ10 Adds Oomph to Skin Cancer Treatment
Melanoma, a potentially deadly form of skin cancer, has been on the rise over the past 50 years. Although it is less related to aging than most other cancers, melanoma is still more likely to occur in older people, especially those who have fair skin, a history of sunburn, or family members with the disease. Since it has the ability to metastasize several years after diagnosis, treatment is often long-term. Now, a new study shows that using Coenzyme Q10 along with interferon treatment significantly reduces the rate of melanoma recurrence.
In the study, people with Stage I or II melanoma and surgically removed lesions received 400 mg a day of CoQ10 in addition to therapy with interferon alpha-2B (IFN). They were compared to a similar group of people receiving IFN but not CoQ10. People getting both INF and CoQ10 had a significant reduction in recurrence compared to those not getting it. Stage II patients in particular, who are at higher risk for recurrence than stage I patients, were 13 times less likely to develop a recurrence if they were taking the CoQ10-IFN combination than if they were taking IFN alone.
The researchers explain that for IFN therapy to be effective, the immune response initiated by the drug seems to require large amounts of energy-producing ATP, which is essential for the production of antibodies. It’s thought that the failure of some patients to respond to IFN therapy may be due to an inability to meet the demand for extra ATP induced by IFN therapy.
Blood levels of coQ10 have been found to be abnormally low in people with cancer, including melanoma, and may be associated with an increased risk for recurrence, these researchers say. Supplemental CoQ10 can raise blood levels and increase production of ATP. It has also been shown to help protect cancer patients from the toxic effects of chemotherapy. (Rusciani, L., et al. Melanoma Res 2007 17:177-183.)
If you are being treated for melanoma, ask your doctor to read this study and discuss its implications with you.
