Glucosamine may be a good idea

FIRST: You have to see the connection between OVCA and somthing called "survivin." Survivin is something malignant cells have that help them survive.
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SURVIVIN EXPRESSION IN OVARIAN CANCER

Z. Liguang1, L. Peishu1, *, M. Hongluan1, J. Hong2, W. Rong2, M.S. Wachtel3, E.E. Frezza4

1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, PR China
2The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, PR China
3Department of Pathology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock Texas, USA
4Department of General Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock Texas, USA

Abstract. Aim: To examine the expression of survivin in benign ovarian tumors, ovarian carcinomas of different stages. Methods: We screened the expression of survivin mRNA by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in 114 ovarian tissue samples. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to estimate survivin mRNA levels in the samples with positive survivin expression. Results: No survivin mRNA was expressed in all normal ovarian specimens, while it appeared in 73% of ovarian carcinomas, 47% of borderline ovarian carcinomas and 19% of benign ovarian tumors. The survivin mRNA expression rate was positively associated with clinical stage (P = 0.026) and differentiation grade (P = 0.049). There was notably statistically significant difference in the survivin mRNA expression rate dependent on different histological types (serous, mucinous, endometrioid, P = 0.008), but not – dependent on lymph node metastasis (P = 0.921) and ascites (P = 0.87). In tissues with positive expression of survivin, we also found that mean survivin mRNA expression levels were higher in ovarian carcinomas than that in benign ovarian tumors and borderline ovarian carcinoma tissues (P < 0.001). Among ovarian carcinomas, the high survivin mRNA expression levels correlated with the clinical stages, differentiation grade, lymph node metastasis, but not — with ascites and histological type. Conclusion: Our study suggest that survivin is associated with progression of ovarian carcinoma.

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Next, you see that glucosamine (usually used for osteoarthritis) works against survivin:
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Researchers uncover how a common biomolecule helps kill cancer cells

By Darrin S. Joy

A common biological molecule helps kill some cancer cells by blocking their guardian protein, according to City of Hope molecular biologists. The finding sheds light on the longstanding mystery behind the biomolecule’s anticancer activity.

Glucosamine is a common mono-saccharide, or simple sugar, found in cells. It also is a popular nutritional supplement, most often touted as a treatment for osteoarthritis.

Viktor Chesnokov helped find how glucosamine kills cancer cells. (Photo by Darrin S. Joy)

Researchers have long known that glucosamine can be toxic to some cancer cells while remaining harmless to normal cells.

Now, a team led by Keiichi Itakura, Ph.D., professor of molecular biology, has found that glucosamine can block the activity of a protein called signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, or STAT3.

STAT3 is highly overproduced in many cancer cells. Previous research has shown that STAT3, when activated, promotes cancer development and guards tumor cells from the immune system.

In the current lab study, Itakura and his team gave doses of glucosamine to prostate cancer cells that continuously produce STAT3. They then observed the effect on the cells and measured the amount of activated STAT3 produced by the cells. The team found that adding glucosamine greatly reduced the amount of activated STAT3, and the cells stopped growing and died.

“By blocking activation of STAT3, we prevent it from protecting the cancer cells,” said Itakura.

The team also found that the amounts of other proteins that help tumor cells grow, including one known as survivin, were lowered in cells exposed to glucosamine.

“Survivin is controlled by STAT3, so it makes sense that we see less of it when STAT3 is suppressed,” explained Viktor Chesnokov, Ph.D., assistant research scientist in the Department of Molecular Biology and lead author on the study.

The researchers suggested that, while more research is needed, glucosamine might be used to treat tumors that produce STAT3 continuously.

Chao Sun, Ph.D., research fellow in molecular biology, also contributed to the study, which appeared in the Sept. 10 issue of Cancer Cell International.
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Sorry that I couldn't find any research done with glucosamine and ovarian cancer--the funding for ovarian cancer is so limited, what did I expect?

Carolen