New Research: Modified Citrus

Pectin - A Potent Anti-Cancer

Therapy
PRNewswire 06-05-13

SAN FRANCISCO, June 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- A new review by

researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine highlights
a large body of published research demonstrating how modified citrus
pectin (MCP), works against cancer. The study, which was published on
April 18 in the American Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology, also
examines MCP's synergistic relationship with chemotherapy, as well as
its ability to modulate immunity, safely remove heavy metals and block
the pro-inflammatory protein galectin-3.

"This review does an excellent job consolidating our knowledge about

modified citrus pectin's remarkable therapeutic impact," says integrative
medicine researcher and MCP co-developer, Isaac Eliaz, M.D. "In
particular, it identifies MCP's different mechanisms of action against
metastatic cancer, heavy metal toxicity and chronic, life threatening
illnesses related to excess galectin-3."

The Development of Modified Citrus Pectin While plant pectins have

long been known to support digestive and immune health through their
actions in the GI tract, the main obstacle preventing them from exerting
systemic benefits throughout the body has been their bio-availability.
The long complex soluble fibers in regular pectin are simply too large to
be absorbed into the circulation. This problem was solved with the
development of MCP, which is prepared from regular citrus pectin using
a modification process to reduce the size and cross branching of the
pectin molecules. The modification allows MCP to easily absorb into the
circulation and exert numerous therapeutic effects throughout the body,
now demonstrated in multiple peer reviewed studies.

For example, the review discusses MCP's ability to control metastatic

melanoma, as well as prostate, breast and colon cancers. These
outcomes have been confirmed in multiple published studies, which
have also shown MCP's ability to suppress angiogenesis (new blood
vessel growth to tumors). Blocking angiogenesis is a key factor in
preventing cancer metastasis.

MCP has also been shown to induce apoptosis in cancer cells.

Apoptosis, known as programmed cell death, is suppressed in tumors,
allowing them to grow uncontrollably. Numerous studies show MCP
supports apoptosis in cancer, including a 2010 study from Columbia
University which found that MCP induced apoptosis in both androgen
dependent and androgen independent prostate cancer cells. This is
particularly significant because androgen independent prostate cancer
is a highly aggressive, difficult-to-treat cancer.

Other important findings demonstrate MCP's abilities to make

chemotherapy more effective. Co-administering MCP with cisplatin,
etoposide or doxorubicin makes cancer cells more sensitive to these
frontline treatments. MCP is also useful during radiation therapy, helping
to protect organs from the damaging inflammatory effects of radiation.
Natural Galectin-3 Blocker One of the active, "culprit" biomarkers in
cancer progression is the cell signaling protein, galectin-3. Elevated
levels of this protein are directly linked with the development,
progression and metastasis of many cancers, as well as chronic
diseases related to inflammation and fibrosis. Large scale clinical
studies demonstrate the direct involvement of galectin-3 in
cardiovascular disease and heart failure, while other studies highlight its
role in kidney fibrosis, liver failure, arthritis and other pro-inflammatory
diseases. Galectin-3 is a sticky, cell surface molecule that allows cancer
cells to aggregate and metastasize. It also drives the processes of
chronic inflammation and the progression of inflammation to fibrosis
within organs and tissues, leading to organ failure. By binding to
galectin-3, MCP inactivates the protein, limiting cancer cell adhesion
and reducing progression of numerous chronic diseases.

Additional Benefits MCP has also been shown to increase immune

activity against human leukemia cells, by significantly enhancing
activation of NK cells and increasing their functionality against leukemia.
Furthermore, a number of clinical trials show MCP's abilities to safely
remove heavy metals such as lead, mercury, arsenic and others from
the circulation, without affecting essential mineral levels.

These additional functions increase MCP's therapeutic value in treating

and preventing cancer and other chronic illnesses. Because of its
multiple mechanisms of action, MCP is proving to be an important
adjuvant therapy against even the most difficult, treatment-resistant
cancers. With more than 12 million cancer patients in the U.S., this is an
important development.

"The more we learn about MCP, the more impressive it becomes," says
Dr. Eliaz. "With its ability to control aggressive cancers, reduce
inflammation, enhance immunity, chelate heavy metals and work
synergistically with a variety of chemotherapeutic agents, it has earned
an important role within anti-cancer and chronic disease protocols."