Debra Bemis, PhD, a biochemist working in Dr. Katz' lab, explained that COX-2 levels are elevated in a wide range of cancers, including lung, colon, pancreatic, head & neck, and prostate tumors. This enzyme is essential for conversation of arachidonic acid into prostaglandins, which are key inflammatory signalling molecules. Further, synthesis of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a molecular signal for angiogenesis, is also regulated by COX-2. Increased COX-2 activity is found in many disorders, notably arthritis, and it is clearly associated with many forms of cancer, including prostate cancer.
Dr. Bemis pointed out that while localized prostate cancer recurrence rates are fairly constant throughout the world, metastatic recurrences are far more common in Western industrialized nations compared with other parts of the world. This suggest environment or lifestyle factors, and she believes that the typical American highfat diet, rich in arachidonic acid, is fueling COX-2 mediated inflammatory cascades that promote development of neoplasms like prostate cancer, and also make them more likely to metastasize.
"We know that Zyflamend can inhibit COX-2 in prostate cell cultures. We are not sure yet if it exclusively inhibits COX-2 or if it will also inhibit Cox-1 as well," she told Holistic Primary Care.
Whether Zyflamend will prevent prostate cancer growth in men with the disease or its precursor (PIN) is still to be determined. Dr. Katz and his colleagues hope to have an answer in the near future. They have just designed a 3-year clinical trial to answer that question. The Columbia trial will follow 100 men treated with the herbal combination, assessing disease status via bipsies every 6 months.
This is one of a number of trials at the Center for Holistic Urology. The center is participating in the massive NCI-funded multicenter SELECT trial, a 7-year study that will evaluate the efficacy of selenium and vitamin E in preventing prostate cancer among more than 32,000 men.
His group is also studying Genistein Combined Polysaccharide (GPC), a combination of substances derived from fermented soy and the Basidiomycetes mushroom, which is used as an anti-tumor therapy in Japan. Preliminary animal studies by Japanese investigators suggest GPC can inhibit angiogenesis, promote apoptosis, and stimulate immune system anti-tumor activity. Cell culture work from Dr. Katz' lab indicate GCP can interrupt prostate cancer cell cycling, and induce apoptosis.
