Utilization of redox modulating small molecules that selectively act as pro-oxidants in cancer cells to open a therapeutic window for improving cancer therapy
Abstract
There is a rapidly growing body of literature supporting the notion that differential oxidative metabolism in cancer versus normal cells represents a metabolic frailty that can be exploited to open a therapeutic window into cancer therapy.
These cancer cell-specific metabolic frailties may be amenable to manipulation with non-toxic small molecule redox active compounds traditionally thought to be antioxidants.
In this review we describe the potential mechanisms and clinical applicability in cancer therapy of four small molecule redox active agents: melatonin, vitamin E, selenium, and vitamin C.
Each has shown the potential to have pro-oxidant effects in cancer cells while retaining antioxidant activity in normal cells.
This dichotomy can be exploited to improve responses to radiation and chemotherapy by opening a therapeutic window based on a testable biochemical rationale amenable to confirmation with biomarker studies during clinical trials.
Thus, the unique pro-oxidant/antioxidant properties of melatonin, vitamin E, selenium, and vitamin C have the potential to act as effective adjuvants to traditional cancer therapies, thereby improving cancer patient outcomes.
NOTE: This publication cites DBM (The Di Bella Method) in these references:
-
Ref #16: Giuseppe Di Bella, Fabrizio Mascia, Luciano Gualano, Luigi Di Bella - Melatonin anticancer effects: Review (from Di Bella's Foundation). Int J Mol Sci. 2013 Jan 24;14(2):2410-30. doi: 10.3390/ijms14022410;
-
Ref #70: Giuseppe Di Bella - Complete objective response to biological therapy of plurifocal breast carcinoma. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2008 Dec;29(6):857-66;
-
Ref #71: Giuseppe Di Bella, Biagio Colori - The Di Bella Method DBM improved survival objective response and performance status in a retrospective observational clinical study on 23 tumours of the head and neck. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2012;33(3):249-56;
- Ref #72: Giuseppe Di Bella, Biagio Colori, Rosilde Toscano - Complete objective response, stable for 5 years, with the Di Bella Method, of multiple-metastatic carcinoma of the breast. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2017 Dec;38(6):401-407;
-
Ref #73: Giuseppe Di Bella - The Di Bella Method. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2010;31 Suppl 1:1-42;
-
Ref #77: Giuseppe Di Bella, Fabrizio Mascia, Alessandro Ricchi, Biagio Colori - Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of the first-line treatment with somatostatin combined with melatonin, retinoids, vitamin D3, and low doses of cyclophosphamide in 20 cases of breast cancer: a preliminary report. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2013;34(7):660-8.
See also:
- Official Web Site: The Di Bella Method;
- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Bromocriptine and/or Cabergoline);
- Beta-Carotene or β-carotene in Solution of retinoids in vitamin E in the Di Bella Method biological multitherapy;
- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Calcium, 2 grams per day, orally);
- The Di Bella Method (A Variable Part - Clioquinol, 125 μg capsules);
- About Melatonin - In vitro, review and in vivo publications;
- Publication: Melatonin anticancer effects: Review (from Di Bella's Foundation);
- Publication: Key aspects of melatonin physiology: 30 years of research (from Di Bella's Foundation);
- Solution of retinoids in vitamin E in the Di Bella Method biological multitherapy;
- The Di Bella Method (A Variable Part - Selenium methonine, 40 μg capsules, twice a day);
- Somatostatin in oncology, the overlooked evidences - In vitro, review and in vivo publications;
- Publication, 2018 Jul: Over-Expression of GH/GHR in Breast Cancer and Oncosuppressor Role of Somatostatin as a Physiological Inhibitor (from Di Bella's Foundation);
- Publication, 2019 Aug: The Entrapment of Somatostatin in a Lipid Formulation: Retarded Release and Free Radical Reactivity (from Di Bella's Foundation);
- Publication, 2019 Sep: Effects of Somatostatin and Vitamin C on the Fatty Acid Profile of Breast Cancer Cell Membranes (from Di Bella's Foundation);
- Publication, 2019 Sep: Effects of somatostatin, curcumin, and quercetin on the fatty acid profile of breast cancer cell membranes (from Di Bella's Foundation);
- Publication, 2020 Sep: Two neuroendocrine G protein-coupled receptor molecules, somatostatin and melatonin: Physiology of signal transduction and therapeutic perspectives (from Di Bella's Foundation);
- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Vitamin C/Ascorbic Acid, 2–4 grams, twice a day orally);
- The Di Bella Method (A Fixed Part - Dihydrotachysterol, Alfacalcidol, synthetic Vitamin D3);
- Vitamin D (analogues and/or derivatives) and cancer - In vitro, review and in vivo publications;
- Complete objective response to biological therapy of plurifocal breast carcinoma;
- Pleural Mesothelioma: clinical records on 11 patients treated with Di Bella's Method;
- Malignant pleural mesothelioma, stage T3-T4. Consideration of a case study;
- Neuroblastoma: Complete objective response to biological treatment;
- Large B-cells Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Stage IV-AE: a Case Report;
- Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Stage III-B-E: a Case Report;
- Oesophageal squamocellular carcinoma: a complete and objective response;
- Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: clinical records on 17 patients treated with Di Bella's Method;






