Caffeine slows brain cancer growth: scientists

SEOUL, Feb. 1 (Yonhap) -- Scientists in South Korea and abroad said Monday that
caffeine has been shown to effectively slow the growth of tumors related to an
aggressive type of brain cancer, which could boost efforts toward the development
of a treatment for the fatal disease.

The international endeavor led by Lee Chang-joon, a neural science researcher at
the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) in Seoul, claimed animal
tests using ordinary caffeine found in coffee and green tea selectively inhibited
inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) growth associated with glioblastoma, the
most common and most aggressive type of cancer that attacks the central nervous
system.
Treating the cancer is very difficult because the tumor cells are resistant to
many anti-cancer drugs and other forms of therapy. Most people die within a year
of being diagnosed, with use of the latest drug Temodar able to extend life by an
average of just 2.5 months.
Lee said calcium is a main contributor to glioblastoma in humans, with IP3R
directly contributing to the amount of calcium released.
He added that by using advanced molecular level analysis, scientists discovered
that IP3R3 -- a sub-type of the IP3R -- is very active in people suffering from
brain cancer and that caffeine attacks this particular compound to hinder its
normal activity. Such developments can make it hard for the tumor to grow in the
brain and may prevent cancer cells from spreading to other parts of the body.
"The discovery marks the first time caffeine has been linked to having a
beneficial effect on glioblastoma," the scientists said.
He said that the level of caffeine given to laboratory animals is equivalent to
two to five cups of coffee or green tea consumed by humans per day.
The expert said that with more research that may include clinical tests, there is
a chance of finding a new type of treatment for the deadly disease.
The discovery, made in cooperation with scientists from Seoul National
University, Gyeongsang National University and Emory University in Atlanta, was
published in the latest issue of U.S.-based Cancer Research journal.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)

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