Nutrient mixture including vitamin C, L-lysine, L-proline, and epigallocatechin is ineffective against tumor growth and metastasis in a syngeneic neuroblastoma model.
BACKGROUND
The replacement of established evidence-based cancer therapy protocols (mainstream therapy) by unevaluated complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a challenge in pediatric oncology. We tested the hypothesis that oral application of L-lysine and ascorbic acid (Lysin C Drink) in combination with epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG) and amino-acids (Epican forte) is effective in a preclinical model of neuroblastoma.


METHODS
Primary tumors and spontaneous metastases were induced in A/J mice by injection of NXS2 neuroblastoma cells. Mice were treated by daily oral gavage with L-lysine and ascorbic acid (Lysin C Drink) (equivalent to 150 mg ascorbic acid/day/mouse) (treatment A) or with EGCG plus ascorbic- and amino-acids (Epican forte) (9.2 mg/mouse) (treatment B). Treatment A was started in the prophylactic setting (7 days before tumor cell injection) as well as in the therapeutic setting (1 day after tumor cell inoculation). Finally, treatment B was evaluated alone and in combination with treatment A in the therapeutic setting. The effect on primary tumor growth and the development of spontaneous liver metastases was evaluated.


RESULTS
L-lysine and ascorbic acid (Lysin C Drink) and EGCG plus ascorbic- and amino-acids (Epican forte) are ineffective in reduction of primary tumor growth and prevention of spontaneous liver metastases in this model.


CONCLUSIONS
Neither a formal clinical development nor the use of these substances can be recommended for neuroblastoma.
Lode
Holger N
HN
Department of Pediatrics, Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Huebener
Nicole
N
Strandsby
Anne
A
Gaedicke
Gerhard
G
D000818:Animals; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002392:Catechin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000556:secondary; D008239:Lysine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D051379:Mice; D008805:Mice, Inbred A; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D011392:Proline / Q000008:administration & dosage
D002392:Catechin; D011392:Proline; C057580:gallocatechol; D008239:Lysine; D001205:Ascorbic Acid