Wpc in cancer treatment

WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE (WPC) AND GLUTATHIONE MODULATION
IN CANCER TREATMENT
Gustavo Bounous, M.D., F.R.C.S. (C) The glutathione antioxidant system is foremost among the cellular protective mechanisms. Depletion of this small molecule is a common consequence of increased formation of reactive oxygen species during increased cellular activities. This phenomenon can occur in the lymphocytes during the development of the immune response and in the muscular cells during strenuous exercise. It is not surprising that so much research has been done, and is still being done on this small tripeptide molecule.
Whey protein concentrate has been shown to represent an effective and safe cysteine donor for GSH replenishment during GSH depletion in immune deficiency states.
Cysteine is the crucial limiting amino acid for intracellular GSH synthesis. Animal experiments showed that the concentrates of whey proteins also exhibit anti- carcinogenesis and anticancer activity. They do this via their effect on increasing GSH concentration in relevant tissues, and may have anti-tumor effect on low volume of tumor via stimulation of immunity through the GSH pathway. It is considered that oxygen radical generation is frequently a critical step in carcinogenesis, hence the effect of GSH on free radicals as well as carcinogen detoxification, could be important in inhibiting carcinogenesis induced by a number of different mechanisms. Case reports are presented which strongly suggest an anti-tumor effect of a whey protein dietary supplement in some This non toxic dietary intervention, which is not based on the principles of current cancer chemotherapy, will hopefully attract the attention of laboratory and clinical Correspondence to: Gustavo Bounous, M.D., Research & Development Department, Immunotec Research
Ltd., 292 Adrien-Patenaude, Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec, Canada, J7V 5V5 Key words: (whey protein), (glutathione), (cancer).
WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE AND GLUTATHIONE MODULATION IN CANCER TREATMENT Mammalian cells have evolved numerous mechanisms to prevent or treat injurious events that can result from normal oxidative by products of cellular metabolism.
The “glutathione (GSH) antioxidant system” is foremost among these endogenous protective systems because GSH participates directly in the destruction of reactive oxygen compounds through the GSH peroxidase and maintains in reduced active form vitamins C and E, which also exert an antioxidant effect.1 In addition, GSH detoxifies foreign compounds in a reaction catalyzed by GSH-transferases.2 For these reasons, cellular GSH plays a central role in the body’s defense against infection, free radicals and carcinogens. It is not surprising that the liver, which is the major organ involved in the detoxification and elimination of toxic materials, has the greatest concentration of GSH.3 The sulfhydryl (thiol) group (SH) of cysteine is responsible for the chemical properties of the whole GSH molecule (L-gamma-glutamyl-L-cysteinylglycine). As systemic availability of oral GSH is negligible in man4 and because there is no evidence for transport of GSH into cells,2,3 GSH has to be synthesized intracellularly. Though the inflow of cysteine, glutamate, and glycine (components of GSH) may prove somewhat limiting under selected circumstances, numerous observations have shown that cysteine tends to be the rate-limiting event in GSH synthesis. However, free cysteine does not represent an ideal delivery system: it is toxic5 and spontaneously oxidized.
On the other hand, cysteine present as cystine (two cysteines linked by a disulfide bond) released during digestion in the gastrointestinal tract is more stable than the free amino acid: the disulfide bond is pepsin- and trypsin-resistant, but may be split by heat WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE AND GLUTATHIONE MODULATION IN CANCER TREATMENT Thus, cystine travels safely in the plasma and is promptly reduced to the two It has been demonstrated that the ability of lymphocytes to offset oxidative damage (during their oxygen-requiring clonal expansion and following that expansion in the production of antibodies, and helper-CD4 and cytolytic-CD8 T lymphocytes) is measured by determining the capacity of these cells to regenerate intracellular stores of GSH, therefore allowing them to respond more fully to the antigenic stimulus.8,9 In the early 1980’s, it was discovered that normal mice fed a whey protein concentrate (WPC) as 20% of a formula diet exhibited a marked increase in antibody production in response to a T cell dependent antigen10,11. The immuno-sustaining effect of this WPC, unrelated to its nutritional efficiency, was confirmed by the protecting effect of this dietary treatment against pneumococcal infection12.
Growth, serum proteins, circulating lymphocytes10-13 and more specifically, the genesis of B lymphocytes in the bone marrow14 are not influenced by the WPC diet.
The cysteine content of the WPC appears to play a role in the bioactivity of the diet.
In fact, optimization of the immune response in animals fed WPC is attributed to a greater WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE AND GLUTATHIONE MODULATION IN CANCER TREATMENT production of glutathione in the lymphocytes through dietary provision of supplementary doses of the GSH precursor cystine13.
The confirmation by Parker et al15 of the immunenhancing effect of WPC was followed in 1995 by another independent study supporting this unique property of WPC.
In this study, ingestion of bovine milk whey proteins, either as a supplement or as the only protein source in a balanced diet, consistently enhanced secondary humoral antibody responses following systemic immunization with ovalbumin when compared with other protein sources such as soybean protein isolate and ovine colostral whey proteins. After 5-8 weeks of feeding, dietary milk whey proteins enhanced cell-mediated immune responses. These properties were unlikely to be related to the nutritional effect16.
The search for the potential mechanism of immunoenhancement by WPC has revealed the provocative possibility that the GSH promoting activity of whey protein concentrate may contribute to a broader biological effect of a protective nature with regard to susceptibility to cancer as well as general detoxification of environmental A university of Wisconsin study convincingly showed that physiological levels of androgens are capable of decreasing the GSH content in human prostatic androgen- responsive cells, which could provide a mechanism by which androgen exposure promotes prostate carcinogenesis17. Conversely, a slightly higher GSH level in the colon, obtained by WPC feeding, is associated with a lower tumor burden in an experimental WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE AND GLUTATHIONE MODULATION IN CANCER TREATMENT model of human colon carcinoma (Fig. 1) again suggesting that tissue GSH levels In 1988, it was reported that, after 24 weeks of dimethylhydrazine (DMH) treatment, the incidence of colon tumors in WPC-fed mice was substantially lower than that in mice fed either the equivalent casein or Purina diet. Similarly, the tumor area was less in the WPC group in comparison to either the casein or Purina groups. Body weight curves were similar in all dietary group18. In a subsequent similar study, all animals continuously fed the WPC diet were found to be alive at the end of the experiment whereas 32% of those on the casein or Purina diet had died. In this latter study, some animals were switched from Purina to a WPC diet only during the final 8 weeks of study. The marked difference in the number and size of tumors between these animals and those eating Purina throughout the entire 28 weeks experiment, indicate an effect following tumor initiation19. Almost identical results were subsequently obtained in rats by Australian investigators20 (Fig. 1). Most recently, a study from Arkansas showed that diets formulated with whey protein provided significantly more protection than casein or soy-based diets against chemically induced mammary cancer in rats21. The immunoenhancing and anti-cancer properties of WPC have been defined as “bioactivity” of the product. In discussing the effects of milk proteins on tumors it is important to distinguish between anti-tumors effect and the anti-carcinogenesis effect. Our hypothesis is that (I) WPC may be important in both these effects; (II) it does this via its effect on increasing GSH concentration, in relevant tissues, probably by providing high levels of substrates for GSH synthesis; (III) that it may have an anti-tumor effect on low volumes of tumor via stimulation of immunity through the GSH pathway; (IV) that it may have WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE AND GLUTATHIONE MODULATION IN CANCER TREATMENT anti-carcinogenic effect by increasing GSH levels that could detoxify potential carcinogens in some cases by being conjugated to a known chemical like DMH. In spontaneous carcinogenesis models, GSH may also be playing a role. Since it is considered that oxygen radical generation is frequently a critical step in carcinogenesis22 the effect of GSH on free radical detoxification2 could be important in inhibiting carcinogenesis induced by a number of different mechanisms23. The prostate cancer hypothesis17 could be a case in point.
In addition, an intriguing relationship has been discovered between cancer cell GSH and GSH precursors or cysteine pro-drugs. This phenomenon has been brought to light especially by in vitro studies. These observations indicate the strong possibility of a direct effect of cysteine delivery systems on tumor cells. In 1986, Russo et al observed that cellular GSH levels were 7-fold higher in a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line than in a normal human fibroblast line. In tumor cell line OTZ (oxothiazoline-4- carboxilate which yield cysteine for GSH synthesis) treatment in vitro had no effect; however, GSH levels of 140-170% of control were achieved in the normal fibroblast The same phenomenon was shown in an in vivo model of rat mammary carcinoma, where GSH concentration was increased in bone marrow and paradoxically reduced in tumor tissue25. A natural cysteine delivery system also exhibited on tumor cells in vitro the anti-GSH effect of the synthetic products. Thus an in vitro assay showed that, at concentrations that induce GSH synthesis and proliferation in normal cells, a WPC caused GSH depletion and inhibition of proliferation of cells in a rat mammary carcinoma and Jurkat T cells26. The selectivity demonstrated in these WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE AND GLUTATHIONE MODULATION IN CANCER TREATMENT experiments may be explained by the fact that GSH synthesis is tightly regulated and it is negatively inhibited by its own synthesis and since baseline intracellular GSH in tumor cells is much higher than in normal cells, it is easier to reach the level at which negative feedback inhibition occurs in this cellular system than in a non-tumor cellular system.
All these related observations may help understand the observed in vitro inhibition of tumor growth by WPC where involvement of systemic immuno-surveillance cannot be advocated. For example, the addition of bovine milk whey to the culture medium of human breast and prostate cancer cells results in a significant reduction of cells growth. It is noteworthy that the inhibitory effect of these proteins is manifest only after a 24-hour incubation27. What is particularly relevant is the fact that the proteins in WPC such as serum albumin, alpha-lactalbumin and lactoferrin with the largest concentration of cystine have been shown to exert individually inhibition of tumor cells.
When undenatured, these proteins contain almost the same number of cystine residues per total amino acid28,29. Hence, in serum albumin, there are 17 cystine residues per 66,000 MW molecule, and six glutamylcystine (Glu-Cys) dipeptides28; in lactoferrin, 17 cystine residues per 77,000 MW, and four Glu-Cys dipeptides29, and in alpha- lactalbumin, four cystine residues per 14,000 MW molecule.28 Conversely, beta- lactoglobulin has only two cystine residues per 18,400 MW molecule28, and IgG1, the predominant immunoglobulin in cow’s milk serum, only four disulphide bridges (cystine) per 166,000 MW molecule. Bovine serum albumin inhibit in vitro the growth of the estrogen responsive human breast cancer cell line30. Selective apoptosis (cell death) of human cancer cells was obtained by incubation with α-lactalbumin31. This article received great public recognition presumably because the title announced this effect of a WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE AND GLUTATHIONE MODULATION IN CANCER TREATMENT “human” milk protein with the concomitant awareness that breast-fed infant have lower incidence of infection and childhood cancers. Although it is true that α-lactalbumin is a predominant protein in human milk (Table 1) it is also true that bovine WPC’s contain 22%-24% alpha-lactalbumin and that most of the non bovine milk proteins are homologous with the recognized families of those of bos taurus and this includes α- lactalbumins that are coded for by a single gene32. Lactoferrin exhibit in tissue culture anti-tumor effect against human pancreatic cancer cell line33.
These three whey proteins have in common a similar relatively high content of cysteine. Because of the above-described anti-tumor effect of cysteine pro-drugs in vitro, it is reasonable to assume that the anti-tumor effect exhibited in vitro by cysteine-rich whey proteins is also related to their cysteine delivery potential. It appears thus, that cancer cells normally down regulate and loose their GSH when facing natural or synthetic cysteine delivery systems.
It was recently demonstrated that several sulfur-containing antioxidants such as NAC and OTZ selectively induce p53-dependent apoptosis in transformed but not in normal cells. In contrast, antioxidants whose action is limited to scavenging radicals do not seem to have this activity. This activity was found related to a 5-10 fold induction of p53 protein and not to GSH formation34. Therefore, a natural cysteine donor such a whey protein concentrate (WPC) could also inhibit tumors by directly increasing cellular thiol Acknowledgements
The work performed by Dr. Gustavo Bounous was supported by the Medical Research Council of Canadaof which he was a career investigator from 1968 to 1993, the year of his retirement from McGillUniversity. The invaluable contribution of John H. Molson is gratefully acknowledged. WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE AND GLUTATHIONE MODULATION IN CANCER TREATMENT EFERENCES:
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Papenburg R, Bounous G, Fleiszer D, Gold P. Dietary milk proteins inhibit the development ofdimethylhydrazine-induced malignancy. Tumor Biol 11: 129-136, 1990.
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WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE AND GLUTATHIONE MODULATION IN CANCER TREATMENT Results of Studies Demonstrating the Role of Specially Prepared Carcinogen was dimethylhydrazine-dihydrochloride (DMH), which inducescolon tumors similar to those found in humans (with regard to type oflesions1 and response to chemotherapy2). The diets were fed before andthroughout the 24-weeks DMH-treatment period. No differential effect ofdiet on body weight was seen.
Study conducted in Canada:
Study conducted in Australia:
Bounous G et al.
McIntosh G et al.
Clin Invest Med 11: 213, 1988
J Nutr 125: 809, 1995
(A/J mice)
(Sprague-Dawley rats)
“… These findings confirmed and extended earlierobservations of a Canadian research group [Bounous et al,1991] that also identified dairy proteins, and whey protein inparticular, as being protective against the development ofintestinal cancers induced by DMH.” Enker WE, Jacobitz JL. Experimental carcinogenesis of the colon induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-dl HCL : Value as amodel of human disease. J Surg Res 21 : 291, 1976.
Corbett TH, Griswold DP, Roberts GJ, Peckham JC et al. Evaluation of single agents and combinations of chemotherapeuticagents in mouse colon carcinogenesis. Cancer 40 : 2650, 1977.
Rodent chow (purina) containing varying amounts of beef, fish, corn, and whey proteins.
WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE AND GLUTATHIONE MODULATION IN CANCER TREATMENT ABLE 1: PROTEIN COMPOSITION OF COW’S AND HUMAN MILK *Casein has 0 to 2 cysteine/molecule.
Adapted from: Jennes R. Inter-species comparison of milk proteins. In: Developments in DairyChemistry-1. Fox W. (Ed.). ASP NY : 87, 1982; and Eigel WN, Butler JE, Ernstrom CA, Farell HM etal. Nomenclature of proteins of cow’s milk. J Dairy Sci 67 : 1599-631, 1984 - Fifth revision.
Showing the Effect of Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC)1 The whey protein concentrate, specifically an isolate defined by protein grade, in non-instantized nativeform, marketed as Immunocal/HMS90, was obtained from IMMUNOTEC RESEARCH LTD. TREATMENT OF UTERINE CARCINOMA IN SITU: A CASE REPORT
DANIEL MOREAU, M.D. F.R.C.S. (C) - (OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY) On May 15, 1997, the specialist was consulted because the cytology done by the family physician had revealed moderate displasia compatible with human papilloma viral infection. An endocervical curettage showed, on May 15, 1997, severe cellular displasia.
On February 9, 1998, the Pap test showed severe displasia. On April 30, 1998, severe displasia was still present on the Pap test. A cervical curettage performed the same day, exhibited epithelial fragments with severe displasia. On August 7, 1998, a curettage of the neck demonstrated carcinoma in situ. The same procedure repeated on September 10, 1998, confirmed the presence of carcinoma in situ. The patient was advised of the Instead, beginning November 1998, she took 20 g daily of a specially prepared whey protein concentrate. On March 8, 1999, the cytology showed “possibly atypical cells” and a biopsy of the neck and endocervical curettage on April 9, 1999 showed only a light displasia. On July 13, 1999, and again on December 22, 1999, the cytology was WHEY PROTEINS IN THE TREATMENT OF METASTASIS OF RENAL CARCINOMA
Community Medical Group of Corona – Corona, CA Patient is a 52-year-old Caucasian female who developed vaginal bleeding in November, 1996. Pelvic examination revealed a large strawberry-like lesion at the urethral opening onto the vaginal introitus.
On January 29, 1997 the lesion was excised. Cystoscopy was negative.
Pathological report demonstrated metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Chest x-ray was unremarkable. Pelvic ultrasound did not reveal any pathology other than evidence of a CT scan of the abdomen on February 7, 1997 revealed a 10 x 8.6 x 10 cm mass of the left kidney involving the upper pole with central necrosis extending into the perirenal fat and lateral fascia. CT of the pelvis was normal. Bone scan was normal.
On March 11, 1997 the patient underwent a left radical nephrectomy. The mass was found to adhere to the psoas muscle superiorly, but did not involve the spleen or colon. No significant lymph adenopathy was noted in the periaortic chain. The liver was noted to be unremarkable and there was no pelvic mass noted. Renal vein was free.
Nuclear Grade was 2+4. Adrenal gland was benign. Lymph nodes were negative.
The vaginal wall tumor recurred following the initial excision. When the patient underwent staging in August, 1997 a CT scan of the chest demonstrated multiple scattered tiny peripheral pulmonary nodules mainly seated in the lung bases with associated pretracheal and right paratracheal adenopathy, most typical of pulmonary metastasis. Also, two low density lesions involving both the right and left lobes of the liver were suspicious for metastasis. Bone scan also revealed an area in the right pelvis in the iliac bone medially near the SI joint that was suspicious for metastatic disease.
The patient declined the recommendation for pelvic external beam radiation and also declined the chemotherapy recommendation of Interferon, Interleukin and 5-FU.
Repeat evaluation performed October 1997 and repeated in December 1997 for CT scan of the abdomen demonstrated liver metastasis increasing in number. CT scan of the thorax demonstrated extensive mediastinal adenopathy and lung parenchyma with multiple small nodules throughout both lung fields.
This patient was again evaluated in April 1998 and the result was progressive disease with enlarging size and number of nodules in the liver and persistent extensive mediastinal adenopathy and pulmonary nodules.
Because this patient was experiencing increasing metastatic disease and a treatment plan could not be offered with any kind of satisfactory prognosis this patient sought out other possible treatment methods.
Therefore, in June, 1998 “a specifically prepared whey protein concentrate treatment” was instituted. The patient took one pouch (10 g) in the Am and two pouches in the PM. Within the first two weeks of taking the whey protein concentrate the patient’s nausea had resolved. Also, the patient reported improved appetite and a great The CT scans of the abdomen and thorax, in August, 1998, demonstrated no significant changes in the lungs and liver. Overall, the patient continued to improve In November 1998, a chest film demonstrated a decrease in the lung nodularity and no further progression of the mediastinal adenopathy.
In January 1999, a chest film was performed and the lungs were free of opacities.
In March 1999, the patient experienced projectile vomiting and further studies were undertaken. A CT scan of the abdomen demonstrated no bowel obstruction and the metastatic lesions to the liver were diminished in size with increased central necrosis. A CT scan of the pelvis was unremarkable, except for status post left nephrectomy. An upper GI demonstrated absence of disease except the suggestion of duodenitis. No CT scan studies of the abdomen, thorax, pelvis and chest in July 1999 continued to demonstrate resolution of pulmonary nodules and almost total resolution of peritracheal and subcarinal adenopathy. The liver appeared stable with no evidence of The November 1999 CT of the abdomen compared to the July 1999 report demonstrates a probable slight decrease in the appearance of the area of the low density within the liver presumed to be sites of metastatic disease. There were no new areas of The CT of the pelvis was unremarkable and the follow up CT of the chest remains clear of nodularity in the lung fields and no new evidence of disease.
To date, this patient continues to live a full, active life and her only treatment continues to be the “specifically prepared whey protein concentrate”.
A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF SPECIALLY PREPARED WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE
ON THE PROGRESSION OF CANCER OF THE PROSTATE
Physicians Care Center – Chicago, IL Objective: to test the hypothesis that by manipulating GSH levels thorough oral
supplementation of specially prepared whey protein concentrate, thus causing the conjugation of electrophylic carcinogen(s) involved in the genesis of cancer of the prostate that such manipulation may lead to the remission and/or destruction (apoptosis) of the cancer cell(s) in the patient with prostate cancer.
Methods: Otherwise healthy patients with elevated PSA and cancer of the prostate were
given specially prepared whey protein concentrate 10 grams twice a day. Each patient had an initial PSA and PSA while under treatment. These patients were not on any drugs that would interfere with PSA levels.
Results:
Of the 10 patients that I was able to isolate from my practice, 5 patients opted for surgical 3 showed initial improvement i.e. a lowering of the PSA then dropped out of the study for The 2 remaining patients both responded positively. One had an elevation of PSA higher then the initial PSA after stopping supplementation for 2 months. After restarting supplementation, he had a lower PSA than initial PSA after only 2 months of treatment.
Conclusion: further research on a larger population should be conducted to validate
these findings. All the patients had lower PSA’s with the administration of whey protein The fear of reliance of treatment by a natural product and pressure to conform to the present standard treatment of CA of the Prostate may have been the reason for the high drop out rate and poor compliance in my patient population.
WHEY PROTEIN IN THE TREATMENT OF METASTATIC PROSTATE CANCER
Mount Sinai Medical School and Medical Center – New York Case Study of a 77 year old male (J.) with metastatic carcinoma of the prostate with extensive bone metastases and localized spread to the rectal area.
Prior to entry into study
Treatment failure on standard therapies and treatment chemotherapy discontinued due to cardiac toxicity. Only on predrisone 10 mg po daily, 10/98. Multiple bone metastases Began on WPC 10 gm OD 10/29/98
Began on WPC 20 gm OD
“misuse” of WPC Nov/Dec (in hot denaturing water) Local radiation therapy to bone metastasesA total of 10 treatments WHEY PROTEIN IN THE TREATMENT OF BLADDER CANCER
Prostate Cancer diagnosed 1993. Treated with radiotherapy, with a left renal Significant for a history of 5 packs per year smoking habit which he discontinued Bladder Cancer 1995 Multiple recurrences. Since that initial diagnosis.
Multifocal grade I bladder tumors were resected on 6/10/99 (papillary transitional cell carcinomas) at 5 sites. Previously he had BCG treatment.
Has cystoscopic examination of the bladder every 3 months.
Placed on WPC at his office visit of 7/8/99 at a dosage of one (1) (10 g) packet daily. At his cystocopies of 8/99 and 2/2000 there were no recurrences of the papillary transitional cell carcinoma.
A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF SPECIALLY PREPARED WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE
ON THE PROGRESSION OF CANCER OF THE PROSTATE
The Prostate Center of Greater St-Louis - Missouri We present our early experience in the treatment of 8 patients with biopsy proven carcinoma of the prostate with whey protein nutritional supplementation alone. Response to treatment was monitored by serial PSA levels. PSA is a highly sensitive tumor marker for prostate cancer and is widely used as a measure of response to therapy. Spontaneous Patient Demographics
The patients were men in our regular urologic practice who underwent endorectal biopsies of the prostate in an office setting. All men had elevated PSA levels with or without palpable induration in the prostate. None of the patients had any previous The median age was 82.5 years (range 77 to 89 years) The median PSA at diagnosis was 14.2 ng/ml (range 5.0 to 44 ng/ml). All PSA serum specimens were run by the Smith-Kline-Beecham Labs., hyrbertech assay.
The median testosterone level was 391 ng/ml (range 253 to 619 ng/ml).
The median Gleason score was 5.5 (range 4 to 7).
Performance status in all patients was excellent, all were living independently.
None of the patients had symptoms of clinically active disease (e.g. bone pain, hematuria, B.O.O., peripheral adenopathy, renal insufficiency) and in our practice would have been treated with “watchful waiting” until there was significant PSA progression or signs of Treatment Protocol
After review of the biopsy material and with informed consent, patients were enrolled into the study. The specially prepared whey protein supplements was provided to the patients. The prescribed dose administered was three 10 gm packs per day (30 gm total). No other prescription or OTC treatment was prescribed. Patients were specifically instructed not to use saw palmetto or any of its derivatives.
Serum levels for PSA were drawn at 0, 6 and 12 weeks. Serum testosterone levels were repeated at 12 weeks. Patients were given the option of withdrawing at any Of 10 patients enrolled, 8 have completed 3 months of therapy. Six of the eight patients (76%) have demonstrated a decline in PSA at 6 and 12 weeks. One patient (12%) has had PSA stabilization and one patient (12%) demonstrated a slow but continuous rise in PSA at 6 and 12 weeks. No patient has become clinically symptomatic One patient (T.M.) has now completed 24 weeks of therapy. His initial PSA was 44. At 12 weeks it had declined to 37 and has continued to decline to 28.
The median decline in PSA at 3 months was 1.8 ng/ml (range 0.2 to 7.0 ng/ml).
This represents a 12.8% decrease in the median PSA for the group.
These preliminary results with a whey protein concentrate for the treatment of prostate cancer are encouraging. This cohort of elderly patients with biopsy proven CaP without any previous treatment demonstrated a significant decline in serum PSA at 3 months. All patients tolerated the specially prepared protein concentrate.
Whey protein dietary supplementation appears to exert clinical efficacy in elderly men without previously treated CaP, based on PSA response. Further studies to evaluate its role as primary or adjuvant treatment are anticipated.
IMPROVEMENT IN PSA VALUES USING ORAL GLUTATHIONE PRECURSORS OBTAINED FROM
SPECIALLY-PREPARED WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE (SWPC).
Assistant Professor, McGill University - Canada Department of Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine – April 2000 PSA levels are traditionally used both for the diagnosis of prostate cancer and to monitor success of treatment modalities. The basis of these case reports was to follow the PSA levels in established cases of prostate cancer in patients whose glutathione levels were Methods:
Two patients with biopsy-proven carcinoma of the prostate were followed with regular physical examinations, routine blood-work and PSA levels. Both expressed an interest in commencing oral SPWC as a proactive measure to combat their disease process. The patients were started on whey protein concentrate at 10 grams per day, and PSA levels Case histories and results:
CASE #1 – This gentleman of Italian descent was suspected of having prostatic cancer based on an elevated PSA value at age 66. Subsequent biopsy confirmed a high grade intraepithelial neoplasm. History, physical exam and laboratory studies did not suggest any metastatic process. His medications included ranitidine (Zantac) for a remote gastric ulcer, and terazosin (Hytrin) both for hypertension and symptoms of prostatism. He was in otherwise good health and was very attentive to keeping a good lifestyle and diet. His PSA levels are found in figure 1, and show a significant drop in values after commencing CASE #2 – This patient of Haitian descent with mild untreated hypertension, was diagnosed as having prostatic cancer at age 54. Biopsies revealed high-grade tumor and he underwent radiotherapy and treatment with the anti-androgens bicalutamide (Casodex) and goserelin acetate (Zoladex). PSA levels showed an initial positive response to the hormonal therapy, but then levels began to rise again and his urologist suggested another course of anti-androgen treatment. Having had very poor reaction to the side effects of the first session, the patient declined further chemotherapy. He elected instead to initiate SPWC. His PSA levels improved as documented in figure 2.
Discussion:
These two cases show significant improvement in PSA levels in patients with biopsy- confirmed prostate cancer using oral glutathione-precursors found in specially-prepared whey-protein concentrate. No concurrent therapy could explain the drop in values.
Larger, blinded studies using this therapeutic strategy are warranted.

Source: http://www.immunoaustralia.com.au/WPC%20in%20Cancer%20treatment.pdf