Mannose, a well-known sugar substitute that can slow the growth of several types of tumors and to potentiate the effects of chemotherapy. A new study on mice raises the question of possibility of application mannaseo sugar to cancer treatment. Scientific work published in the journal Nature.
For the growth of tumours need more glucose than usual consume healthy tissue. However, it is very difficult to control the amount of glucose in the body with one only a diet. In this study researchers found that mannose may reduce the amount of sugar that can eat the cancer cells.
Tumors need a lot of glucose to grow, so limiting the amount of glucose, which they can use, should slow the progression of cancer. The problem is that normal tissues also require glucose, so we can’t completely remove it from the body. In our study we determined the dosage of mannose, which can block a certain amount of glucose to slow tumor growth in mice, but not enough to damage normal tissues. We hope that the definition of the perfect balance means that in the future mannose can be given to cancer patients to enhance the effect of chemotherapy without compromising their overall health, said Professor Kevin Ryan (Kevin Ryan), lead author of the study from the British Institute of Bitana at the Institute of cancer research (Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute).
First, the researchers conducted experiments on mice with cancer of the pancreas, lung and skin. Mannose was added to them in drinking water and given orally. The researchers then found that this significantly slowed down the growth of tumors without causing any noticeable side effects.
To check how mannose affects cancer treatment, mice were subjected to treatment with cisplatin and doxorubicin, two widely used chemotherapeutic drugs. They found that mannose enhances the effects of chemotherapy, slowing the growth of tumors, reduces their size and even increases the lifespan of some mice.
The study also explored several other types of cancer, including leukemia, osteosarcoma, ovarian cancer and intestines. The researchers grew cancer cells in the laboratory, and then processed their mannose to determine how it affects their growth.
Some cells responded well to treatment and others do not. It was also discovered that the presence of the enzyme that destroys mannose in cells is a good indicator of the effectiveness of treatment.
Professor Kevin Ryan added that the next step should be the answer to the question of why this treatment works only for some cells to determine which patients may benefit most from this type of treatment.
Mannose is sometimes used to treat urinary tract infections, but long-term results of its impact have not yet been investigated.
Although these results are very promising for some cancer treatments, but the treatment hasn’t yet been tested on humans. Patients must not try to treat a mannose because there is a real risk of side effects, which have not yet been investigated. In this case, you should consult your doctor before dramatically changing your diet or taking new supplements, says Martin Ledwick (Martin Ledwick) from the British Institute of cancer research.
Dmitry Kolesnik