Nutrition Whey Protein and Cancer TherapyWhey protein may play a role in both protecting against cancer and also in sensitizing cells to chemotherapy. Again GSH is a major contributor to these observations. Tumor cells contain higher levels of GSH than normal cell tissues. Studies have suggested that an elevated GSH concentration in tumor cells is a useful predictor of resistance or reduced sensitivity to anticancer treatments. In vitro and animal studies have demonstrated a positive correlation between an ingestion of whey protein and a reduction of intra-cellular GSH activity in cancer cells, a direct contrast to the effect seen in HIV/AIDS patients.
Results of a 1995 study involving five patients with metastatic carcinoma of the breast and one with metastatic carcinoma of the liver indicated that ingestion of whey protein might deplete intracellular concentrations of GSH and render them more sensitive to chemotherapy. A 2000 study, conducted by Tsai et al, demonstrated that a whey protein isolate (WPI) had an enhancing effect on the cytotoxicity of baicalein, a potential anticancer drug, when applied to a human cell line.
A United States Department of Agriculture-funded study at the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center examined the roles of soy and whey protein in breast cancer in rats. Findings revealed that all rats in the control group (fed a casein protein diet), 77% of the soy-fed, and 54% of the whey protein fed rats developed at least one tumor. The whey protein-fed rats who developed mammary tumors had fewer and smaller tumors than the control rats. These observations may further validate the suggested role of whey protein in tumor prevention or regression.
Results of a 1995 study involving five patients with metastatic carcinoma of the breast and one with metastatic carcinoma of the liver indicated that ingestion of whey protein might deplete intracellular concentrations of GSH and render them more sensitive to chemotherapy. A 2000 study, conducted by Tsai et al, demonstrated that a whey protein isolate (WPI) had an enhancing effect on the cytotoxicity of baicalein, a potential anticancer drug, when applied to a human cell line.
A United States Department of Agriculture-funded study at the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center examined the roles of soy and whey protein in breast cancer in rats. Findings revealed that all rats in the control group (fed a casein protein diet), 77% of the soy-fed, and 54% of the whey protein fed rats developed at least one tumor. The whey protein-fed rats who developed mammary tumors had fewer and smaller tumors than the control rats. These observations may further validate the suggested role of whey protein in tumor prevention or regression.
