HonCode

Go Back   HER2 Support Group Forums > Articles of Interest
Register Gallery FAQ Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-03-2008, 03:29 PM   #1
Rich66
Senior Member
 
Rich66's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: South East Wisconsin
Posts: 3,431
Avemar

J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2011 Apr 16;30:42.
Promising cytotoxic activity profile of fermented wheat germ extract (Avemar®) in human cancer cell lines.

Mueller T, Jordan K, Voigt W.
Source

University of Halle, Department Internal Medicine, Oncology/Hematology and Hemostaseology, Ernst-Grube Str, 40, 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany.


Free PMC Article

Abstract

Fermented wheat germ extract (FWGE) is currently used as nutrition supplement for cancer patients. Limited recent data suggest antiproliferative, antimetastatic and immunological effects which were at least in part exerted by two quinones, 2-methoxy benzoquinone and 2,6-dimethoxybenzquinone as ingredients of FWGE. These activity data prompted us to further evaluate the in vitro antiproliferative activity of FWGE alone or in combination with the commonly used cytotoxic drugs 5-FU, oxaliplatin or irinotecan in a broad spectrum of human tumor cell lines. We used the sulforhodamine B assay to determine dose response relationships and IC50-values were calculated using the Hill equation. Drug interaction of simultaneous and sequential drug exposure was estimated using the model of Drewinko and potential clinical activity was assessed by the model of relative antitumor activity (RAA). Apoptosis was detected by DNA gel electrophoresis.
FWGE induced apoptosis and exerted significant antitumor activity in a broad spectrum of 32 human cancer cell lines. The highest activity was found in neuroblastoma cell lines with an average IC50 of 0.042 mg/ml. Furthermore, IC50-range was very narrow ranging from 0.3 mg/ml to 0.54 mg/ml in 8 colon cancer cell lines. At combination experiments in colon cancer cell lines when FWGE was simultaneously applied with either 5-FU, oxaliplatin or irinotecan we observed additive to synergistic drug interaction, particularly for 5-FU. At sequential drug exposure with 5-FU and FWGE the observed synergism was abolished.Taken together, FWGE exerts significant antitumor activity in our tumor model. Simultaneous drug exposure with FWGE and 5-FU, oxaliplatin or irinotecan yielded in additive to synergistic drug interaction. However, sequential drug exposure of 5-FU and FWGE in colon cancer cell lines appeared to be schedule-dependent (5-FU may precede FWGE).Further evaluation of FWGE as a candidate for clinical combination drug regimens appeared to be warranted.

PMID:
21496306
[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PMCID: PMC3104483







Fermented Wheat Germ Extract Beneficial in Cancer Therapy


by Jeremiah Smith, citizen journalist
See all articles by this author
Email this author


(NaturalNews) Wheat germ is the most nutritious part of the wheat kernel. In fact, it is one of the most nutritionally dense foods available. When subjected to yeast fermentation, wheat germ becomes a source of two biologically active substances: 2-methoxy-benzoquinone and 2,6-dimethoxy-benzoquinone. Following fermentation, the resulting product can be standardized to a benzoquinone concentration that is capable of producing the desired health effects.

Investigation into the biochemical significance of fermented wheat germ began with Albert Szent-Györgyi. Szent-Györgyi was a Hungarian physiologist, credited with the isolation of vitamin C, and recipient of the 1937 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. He strongly believed in the idea of food as medicine. Szent-Györgyi noticed lower cancer rates among those who ate whole grains, compared to those eating mostly refined grains. This led him on a search to uncover the ingredient in wheat that might explain the observed cancer prevention. Later, he was able to demonstrate the potential of benzoquinone compounds in relation to cancer cell metabolism. Unfortunately, it was difficult to isolate a sufficient amount, and to achieve consistent concentrations, of the fermented product, which prevented Szent-Györgyi from taking his research to the next level.

Availability and classification

Szent-Györgyi’s efforts laid the groundwork for further research and development that continues today. New and improved industrial technologies have solved the problems of production and standardization. Now, a new generation of Hungarian scientists has picked up where Szent-Györgyi left off. Dr. Máté Hidvégi developed and patented an extract of fermented wheat germ, called Avemar®.

Avemar was initially released in Hungary, as a dietary supplement, in 1998. After demonstration of its anti-cancer activity, Avemar received approval for clinical studies. Based on those results, it was registered as a medical nutriment for cancer patients in 2002. Under this registration, it is recommended as a complement to cancer treatment during and after surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

It has since been registered for the same indications in Bulgaria and the Czech Republic, with registration pending in several other countries. In the United States, Avemar is classified as a dietary supplement, and is distributed under the name of Avé®.

How does Avemar work?

Mechanisms of action responsible for Avemar’s anti-cancer and immunoregulatory properties include:

* Prevents cancer cell proliferation

* Induces programmed cell death in cancer cells

* Enhances the immune system’s ability to target cancerous cells

* Increases recovery rate of immune function following immunosuppressive therapies

* Decreases uptake of glucose by tumor cells

* Promotes balance between cellular and humoral immunity, thus regulating the immune response

This last point refers to one of the most interesting properties of Avemar. In cases of cancer, Avemar stimulates the immune system. In cases of autoimmunity (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus), it offers appropriate immunosuppressive effects. At first glance, this appears contradictory. However, Avemar is able to exert these seemingly opposite effects through its action on different segments of the immune system.

In most cases, cancer therapy complemented with Avemar is proven to be more effective than conventional treatment alone. Avemar not only enhances these treatments, but also reduces their damaging side effects.

Avemar itself has no adverse effects, and shows no toxicity toward normal cells.

Evidence for the supportive role of Avemar in cancer treatment

A study examining the use of Avemar in patients with colorectal cancer, found significant improvements in those patients supplemented with Avemar. The Avemar group received traditional cancer therapy along with Avemar supplementation, whereas the control group received only traditional treatment. The results showed a significant reduction in new cancer recurrences (3% vs. 17.3%), new metastases (7.6% vs. 23.1%), and deaths (12.1% vs. 31.7%). The authors concluded that supportive use of Avemar is highly recommended in colorectal cancer treatment. This study was reported in the Orvosi Hetilap Hungarian Medical Journal.

Another study, from the British Journal of Cancer, reported similar findings. Supplementation of conventional cancer therapies with Avemar was found to improve progression-free and overall survival probabilities.

A research review, by the Hungarian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, found that the progression of malignant tumors of the oral cavity was slowed significantly with the use of Avemar. Furthermore, the five-year survival rate of patients was increased, and quality of life was improved.

The International Journal of Cancer reports a study evaluating the supportive use of Avemar in high-risk melanoma patients. Again, the time to progression and the probability of progression-free survival were increased in favor of patients taking Avemar. Fewer side effects were also noted in these patients.

As impressive as these results are, they represent only a fraction of the total published research on Avemar. There are currently more than 20 publications in peer-reviewed medical journals alone. Research has been funded by many government organizations including the Hungarian Scientific Research Foundation, the Ministry of Health in Spain, the Clinical Nutrition Research Unit of the University of California Los Angeles, INCO-COPERNICUS of the European Union, as well as NATO’s Scientific Program.

References:

Avemar®
(http://www.avemar.com/home.php)

Avemar® Product Research
(http://www.avemar.com.au/avemar_research.ews)

Avemar® Research Publications:
(http://www.avemarresearch.com/TOC.html)


American Biosciences, Inc.
(http://www.avemarusa.com/)


Nutr Cancer. 2009 Nov;61(6):891-9.
Avemar (wheat germ extract) in cancer prevention and treatment.

Telekes A, Hegedus M, Chae CH, Vékey K.
Department of Oncology, Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Municipal Hospital, Budapest, Hungary. andras.telekes@bajcsy.hu
Abstract

Many healthy foods are derived from wheat germ. The molecular composition of these products, however, greatly differs as shown by normal-phase HPLC-mass spectrometry analysis; thus, experimental data obtained by one of them is not necessarily true for the other. Avemar is a nontoxic wheat germ extract registered as a special nutriment for cancer patients in Hungary. It shows potent anticancer activity on cell lines by deeply interfering with glucose metabolism and affecting expressions of several kinases. In in vivo experimental models, Avemar is also effective by enhancing the activity of the immune system such as stimulating NK cell activity (by reducing MHC I molecule expression), enhancing TNF secretion of the macrophages, increasing ICAM 1 molecule expression on the vascular endothelial cells. All of these lead to apoptosis of tumor cells. The wide range of biological activity of Avemar probably cannot be explained by only one active ingredient. Since there are numerous experimental data and the clinical benefit repeatedly confirmed Avemar can be one of the most potent and best researched food supplements available for cancer patients.

PMID: 20155632 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]




Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2005 Jun;1051:529-42.
Fermented wheat germ extract (Avemar) in the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases.

Boros LG, Nichelatti M, Shoenfeld Y.
Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA.
Abstract

Avemar, the product of industrial fermentation of wheat germ, possesses unique cancer-fighting characteristics. Taken orally, Avemar can inhibit metastatic tumor dissemination and proliferation during and after chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. Benefits of Avemar treatment have been shown in various human cancers, in cultures of in vitro grown cancer cells, in the prevention of chemical carcinogenesis, and also in some autoimmune conditions. This document reviews the clinical and experimental results obtained with this extract so far. Special references are made for its safety, including its coadministration with anticancer drugs, as well as for its immunomodulatory activity, its molecular targets, and its use in cancer clinical trials.

PMID: 16126993 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]




Anticancer Res. 1998 Jul-Aug;18(4A):2353-8.
Effect of Avemar and Avemar + vitamin C on tumor growth and metastasis in experimental animals.

Hidvégi M, Ráso E, Tömösközi-Farkas R, Paku S, Lapis K, Szende B.
Birochem Ltd., Budapest, Hungary. BIROCHEM@MAIL.DATANET.HU
Abstract

Because of the observed immunostimulatory actions of a new fermented wheat germ extract--with standardized benzoquinone composition--we have investigated the eventual tumor growth- and metastasis-inhibiting effects of this preparation (Avemar) applied alone or in combination with vitamin C. Tumor models of different origin [a highly metastatic variant of the Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL-HH), B16 melanoma, a rat nephroblastoma (RWT-M) and a human colon carcinoma xenograft (HCR25)]--kept in artificially immunosuppressed mice were applied. The metastasis-inhibiting effects of the treatments have been studied both in the presence and in the absence (following surgical removal) of the transplanted primary tumors. Combined treatments with Avemar and vitamin C--administered synchronously--profoundly inhibited the metastasis formation in all the applied tumor models while, treatments with vitamin C alone did not exert such an inhibiting effect on the metastasizing process. The degree of the observed metastasis inhibition in certain models was significant, while in others--although it was meaningful--did not prove to be significant. It is noteworthy that treatment with Avemar alone in certain models exerted a more pronounced inhibiting effect on metastasis formation than the synchronous combined treatment with Avemar and vitamin C. Furthermore, if the time schedule of the combined treatment was changed (vitamin C--instead of being administered synchronously--was given one hour after the treatments with Avemar), the vitamin C rather decreased the metastasis inhibiting effect of Avemar. It should be mentioned however, that in the case of rat nephroblastoma, a different response was observed: while, in the case of synchronous combination significant inhibition of metastasis formation was observed, treatment with Avemar alone did not produce metastasis-inhibition. It is noteworthy that in this model the metastasis-inhibiting effect of the synchronous combination treatment proved to be even more pronounced if Avemar was administered in a 100 times smaller dose than its regularly applied dosage. Treatment with Avemar and vitamin C--administered in combination or separately--in the majority of experimental models (with the exception of rat nephroblastoma) did not inhibit the growth of the primary tumors. It is reasonable, therefore, to suppose that in the observed metastasis-inhibiting effect the eventual proliferation inhibiting effect of these remedies does not play an important role. According to the results of other experiments--carried out in our laboratory in parallel with those described here--Avemar proved to have a meaningful immunostimulatory effect. It might therefore be suggested that the observed metastasis-inhibiting effect of this preparation may be mainly due to its immunostimulatory properties. The possible therapeutic benefits of Avemar and Avemar plus vitamin C are also discussed.

PMID: 9703878 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]




Cancer Biother Radiopharm. 1999 Aug;14(4):277-89.
MSC, a new benzoquinone-containing natural product with antimetastatic effect.

Hidvégi M, Rásó E, Tömösközi-Farkas R, Szende B, Paku S, Prónai L, Bocsi J, Lapis K.
1st Institute of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis Medical University, Budapest.
Abstract

An orally applicable fermentation product of wheat germ containing 0.04% substituted benzoquinone (MSC) has been invented by Hungarian chemists under the trade name of AVEMAR. Oral administration (3 g/kg body weight) of MSC enhances blastic transformation of splenic lymphocytes in mice. The same treatment shortens the survival time of skin grafts in a co-isogenic mouse skin transplantation model, pointing to the immune-reconstructive effect of MSC. A highly significant antimetastatic effect of MSC has been observed in three metastasis models (3LL-HH, B16, HCR-25). The antimetastatic effect of MSC--besides the immune-reconstitution--may also be due to its cell adhesion inhibitory, cell proliferation inhibitory, apoptosis enhancing, and antioxidant characteristics, also observed in our in vitro experiments. It is even more noteworthy that combined treatment with MSC and one of the following antineoplastic agents (5-FU and DTIC)--both in wide use in every day clinical practice--exhibited a significantly enhanced antimetastatic effect in appropriate metastasis models (established from C38 mouse colon carcinoma and B16 mouse melanoma respectively) as compared to the effect elicited by any component of these therapeutic compositions (MSC + 5-FU and MSC + DTIC) administered alone. The results show that the fermented wheat germ extract (MSC) has more than an additive effect and synergistically enhanced the metastasis inhibitory effect of both antineoplastic agents studied till now. It is also worthy of mention that the synchronous treatment with MSC profoundly decreased the toxic side effects of the applied antineoplastic agents (decreased weight loss etc). Based on the biological effects of MSC--shown to be non-toxic by subacute toxicology studies--this product may be used as an adjuvant in the therapy of malignant neoplasia and other diseases caused by or following immune-deficiency.

PMID: 10850313 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Rich66 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-19-2011, 06:17 PM   #2
Gift
Senior Member
 
Gift's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Posts: 31
Re: Avemar

Hi Rich66,

Your thread on Avemar is catching my eyes. I just start taking Avemar with some other stuff to boost my immune fighting cancer.
Have you or your mom used it? I would like to know if it works.

Gift
__________________
dx July 2010 with ER 80% PR - Her2 +++, 7 cm tumor
3 rounds AC (stop after round 3 since the tumor didn't shrink)
3 rounds Herceptin until tumor gets smaller to 4 cm
Lumpectomy on 12 Dec 2010
TCH x 4 (6 are planned but low WBC), 35 hits Radiation, and one year Herceptin
Jan 2014: met to bladder and then liver and lungs
Jan 2014: Operation to remove 3 cm. tumor from bladder
May 2014: started Taxotexe & Tratuzumap (either Herceptin or Herculis, being a part of Mylan research)
Oct 2014, 3: finished 8 cycles of Taxotere & Tratuzumap
Oct 2014, 24: only Tratuzumap every 3 weeks
Jul 2015: progress in bladder - operation and keep on Tratuzumap
Dec 2015: progress in bladder still & met to ovaries
Gift is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-19-2011, 07:26 PM   #3
Rich66
Senior Member
 
Rich66's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: South East Wisconsin
Posts: 3,431
Re: Avemar

Hi Gift,
Not taking it at this time. So many ways to go with supplements. Thanks for reminding me of this.
Rich66 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2011, 05:05 PM   #4
chrisy
Senior Member
 
chrisy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 3,207
Re: Avemar

I haven't researched this lately, but as I recall most of the testing done on this have been in ER+ BC; I'm not aware of any studies in Her2+, but as I said I haven't researched in a while.
__________________
Chris in Scotts Valley
June 2002 extensive hi grade DCIS (pre-cancer-stage 0, clean sentinal node) Mastectomy/implant - no chemo, rads. "cured?"
9/2004 Diag: Stage IV extensive liver mets (!) ER/PR- Her2+++
10/04-3/05 Weekly Taxol/Carboplatin/Herceptin , complete response!
04/05 - 4/07 Herception every 3 wks, Continue NED
04/07 - recurrence to liver - 2 spots, starting tykerb/avastin trial
06/07 8/07 10/07 Scans show stable, continue on Tykerb/Avastin
01/08 Progression in liver
02/08 Begin (TDM1) trial
08/08 NED! It's Working! Continue on TDM1
02/09 Continue NED
02/10 Continue NED. 5/10 9/10 Scans NED 10/10 Scans NED
12/10 Scans not clear....4/11 Scans suggest progression 6/11 progression confirmed in liver
07/11 - 11/11 Herceptin/Xeloda -not working:(
12/11 Begin MM302 Phase I trial - bust:(
03/12 3rd times the charm? AKT trial

5/12 Scan shows reduction! 7/12 More reduction!!!!
8/12 Whoops...progression...trying for Perjeta/Herceptin (plus some more nasty chemo!)
9/12 Start Perjeta/Herceptin, chemo on hold due to infection/wound in leg, added on cycle 2 &3
11/12 Poops! progression in liver, Stop Perjeta/Taxo/Herc
11/12 Navelbine/Herce[ptin - try for a 3 cycles, no go.
2/13 Gemzar/Carbo/Herceptin - no go.
3/13 TACE procedure
chrisy is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:48 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright HER2 Support Group 2007 - 2021
free webpage hit counter