Common Supplements Offer Breakthrough Results Against Brain Cancer in Initial Study
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An inexpensive mix of two everyday supplements helped fight the deadliest brain cancers without any side effects, according to a new study, but researchers say the approach is still experimental.
Scientists at the Advanced Center for Cancer Treatment, Research and Education (ACTREC) in Mumbai, India, found that a combination of resveratrol and copper “dramatically weakened” glioblastoma in a small group of patients, challenging the long-held belief that cancer should be attacked rather than cured.
The scientists, led by ACTREC researcher and professor Dr. Indraneel Mittra, conducted the study on 20 glioblastoma patients who were already scheduled for brain surgery, according to the study, which was published in the journal BJC Reports in September.
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The researchers observed significant biological changes in the treated tumors, including almost complete elimination of DNA fragments that trigger inflammation and marked reductions in several markers of tumor aggressiveness.
Tumor growth activity was reduced by approximately 33%, cancer biomarkers were reduced by 57%, immune checkpoint signals were reduced by 41%, and stem cell markers were reduced by 56%, with no side effects reported, according to a study news release.
Researchers say a simple combination of supplements triggered dramatic biological changes in glioblastoma tumors. (iStock)
“These results suggest that a simple, inexpensive, non-toxic nutraceutical tablet potentially has the power to cure glioblastoma,” Mittra said in a statement.
Ten of the patients received a tablet containing resveratrol and copper four times a day for approximately 12 days before the operation, while the other 10 received no supplements and served as controls. During surgery, doctors collected tumor tissue from all participants, allowing them to compare treated and untreated tumors.
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The samples were analyzed to measure tumor growth, inflammation, immune activity, markers of cancer stem cells and the presence of cell-free chromatin particles, which are fragments of DNA released by dying cancer cells that can worsen tumor behavior.
“We observed almost complete eradication of cell-free chromatin particles from glioblastoma cancer tissues after [the resveratrol and copper] treatment,” Mittra told News Digital. “This finding was particularly significant because cell-free chromatin particles are key drivers of tumor aggressiveness.”
The tablets (not pictured) used small amounts of copper and resveratrol to generate molecules that break down DNA debris that can inflame cancer cells. (iStock)
The two supplements were combined because copper allows resveratrol to create a burst of reactive molecules that break down DNA debris known to inflame cancer cells, according to the study.
Resveratrol, a polyphenol found in foods such as red grapes and berries, has shown antioxidant effects in early research, but reacted differently when combined with copper, helping to dissolve harmful DNA fragments.
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“We have been trying to kill cancer cells for 2,500 years, since the time of the ancient Greeks, without success,” Mittra said. “Maybe it’s time to look at cancer treatment differently and work to cure tumors rather than kill them.”
He added: “I think we may be on the verge of transforming the way cancer is treated.”
Resveratrol, a compound found naturally in foods such as red grapes and berries, behaved differently in the experiment when combined with copper, helping to break down harmful DNA fragments in tumors. (iStock)
Limitations of the study
The researchers noted several limitations of the study, including the fact that it only involved 20 patients. It also looked only at short-term changes in tumor tissue and tested the supplements for only 12 days, so it’s still unclear whether the effects actually improve outcomes.
They also noted that the appearance of the tumors did not change and that the interaction of the supplements with standard treatments is still unclear.
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Larger, longer, carefully controlled trials are needed to determine whether the use of resveratrol and copper is safe over time and whether they actually improve the course of glioblastoma, the researchers noted.
“The public needs to understand that ours is only a first step and that our findings are based on a relatively small number of patients, which needs to be replicated in larger patient cohorts,” Mittra said.
“They should not start self-medicating simply because these items are easily available,” he added. “There may be minimal benefit unless the controlled formulation we designed for our study is used.”
Experts warned that supplements may carry risks for some cancer patients. (iStock)
While supplements are widely available, they may pose risks to cancer patients and should be used only under medical supervision, according to the American Cancer Society.
Research has shown that dietary supplements have no proven anticancer effects, may alter diagnostic tests, and may involve uncertain safety profiles and possible interactions.
“Resveratrol plus copper… is not a substitute for established cancer treatments.”
Mittra and his team have been exploring this line of research for more than a decade. In 2024, the Tata Memorial Center, which oversees ACTREC, issued a statement urging caution over early resveratrol-copper findings.
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“It should be noted that resveratrol plus copper, including its tablet formulation, is not a substitute for established cancer treatments, such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and targeted therapy, which have been conclusively shown to provide benefit and result in cures in a substantial proportion of patients,” the statement read.
News Digital has reached out to outside experts for comment.
Deirdre Bardolf is a lifestyle writer at News Digital.