Coenzyme Q10 as Cancer Treatment A series of case reports from the Institute for Biomedical Research at the University of Texas at Austin describe the therapeutic benefit of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in cancer patients. These investigators have noted tumor regressions and long-term survival associated with oral CoQ10, at doses from 90 to 390 mg/day.101,102 This same group used 90 mg CoQ10/day, combined with other antioxidants (vitamin C 2850 mg, vitamin E 2500 IU, b-carotene 32.5 IU, selenium 387 mcg) and 3.5 g omega-3 fatty acids, in an open trial in node-positive breast cancer patients. Patients also underwent conventional treatment. The investigators observed no distant metastasis in any patient, and partial remission in six of 32 patients. No patients died during the 18-month study period. The lack of a control group makes these data hard to interpret.103 CoQ10 with Radiation A 1998 study warns that CoQ10 reduces the effect of radiotherapy on small-cell lung cancer in mice. This trial did indeed show a significant inhibition of radiation-induced cell growth delay at 40 mg/kg oral dose, and a borderline inhibition at 20 mg/kg. However, no inhibitory effect on radiotherapy was noted at 10 mg/kg CoQ10, a dose roughly equivalent to 700 mg in an adult human.104 Based on this, the normal human dose of CoQ10 of 100-400 mg/day probably has little inhibitory effect on concurrent radiotherapy. CoQ10 with Chemotherapy A number of studies have looked at the capacity of CoQ10 to prevent the cardiac toxicity associated with doxorubicin. A small study in humans showed CoQ10 administration at 1 mg/kg led to an over 20-percent reduction in episodes of ECG change post-treatment compared with doxorubicin alone. Diarrhea and stomatitis were also significantly reduced.105 A mouse study confirms the protective effect of CoQ10 treatment on the toxicity of doxorubicin. In this study, it was noted that CoQ10 did not reduce the anti-tumor effect of doxorubicin. Instead, a trend toward better tumor control was seen.106 In a study of 20 leukemia patients undergoing treatment with the similar agent daunorubicin, 100 mg CoQ10 twice daily was able to significantly reduce adverse cardiac events as measured by echocardiography. No mention was made of the effect of CoQ10 treatment on the therapeutic benefit of daunorubicin chemotherapy.107 Alternative Medicine Reviews, 1999;4(5):304-329 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.