From a study in Nutrition and Cancer 1999, Weiping Yu, Macha Simmons-Menchaca et al In summary, we demonstrate that three forms of tocotrienols (a, g, and d) are potent inducers of apoptosis of estrogen-responsive and -nonresponsive human breast cancer cells in culture. Of the natural forms of tocopherols, delta-tocopherol is the only form that showed apoptosis-inducing properties. The ability of tocotrienols, especially delta-tocotrienol at low levels, to induce human breast cancer cells to undergo apoptosis in cell culture makes this compound an interesting candidate for further characterization of its antitumor effects in vivo for possible chemotherapeutic use. It is important to note that when vitamin E compounds are considered for possible therapeutic applications, not only does the form of vitamin E need to be carefully considered but the possibility that RRR-alpha-tocopherol may ameliorate or block tocotrienol and VES-mediated effects needs to be taken into account.[12,47] This work was supported by National Cancer Institute Grant CA-59739 and a grant from the Foundation for Research. NOTE: Apoptosis means cell death. One of the distinguishing features of a cancer cell is that they do not die as normal cells do. So causing cell death is good in the fight against cancer. 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.