Hi there.
Does anyone have any experience with supplements that claim to increase natural killer (NK) cell activity? I know that there are medical articles on NK cell-based immunotherapy to fight cancer, including multiple myeloma. I am curious to know whether anyone has experience with supplements which claim to stimulate and activate the patient's own NK cells.
I have been reading about a product offered by Life Extension called NK Activator. Does anyone have any experience with this?
Also, has anyone participated in any trials or studies involving NK-based immunotherapy?
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Myeloma Fighter - Name: Myeloma Fighter
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: February, 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Supplements that stimulate natural killer cells?
I have no experience with any of these products, but there actually was an article on that's been published which discusses what I believe is the active ingredient in the product mentioned above. The product contains "proprietary enzymatically modified rice bran". Here is the citation and abstract:
D Cholujova et al, "MGN-3 arabinoxylan rice bran modulates innate immunity in multiple myeloma patients," Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy, March 2013 (abstract)
Abstract:
Dendritic cells (DCs) and natural killer (NK) cells are central components of innate immunity for controlling tumor growth. The therapeutic effects of certain anti-myeloma drugs are partially mediated by targeting the innate immune response. In addition, novel types of natural compounds have been developed that efficiently modulate the activity of both the cellular and humoral compartments of immunity. MGN-3 is known as an activator of natural killer cells, inducer of apoptosis and cytokine production, and modulator of dendritic cell maturation and differentiation in vitro. We have performed a randomized, placebo-controlled study to examine the effects of MGN-3 on innate immune system parameters in 48 multiple myeloma patients. We performed immunophenotypic analysis of peripheral blood samples, determined NK cell activity, and assessed the cytokine profiles of plasma before and during 3 months of treatment. The results demonstrate a clear increase in NK activity in MGN-3-treated patients compared to the placebo group, an increased level of myeloid DCs in peripheral blood, and augmented concentrations of T helper cell type 1-related cytokines. The present study suggests that MGN-3 may represent an immunologically relevant product for activating innate immunity in multiple myeloma patients and warrants further testing to demonstrate clinical efficacy."
No mention of any response in the patients. It could be worth asking your doctor if they think this could interfere with any of the meds you may be taking.
Keep us updated if you decide to take this.
D Cholujova et al, "MGN-3 arabinoxylan rice bran modulates innate immunity in multiple myeloma patients," Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy, March 2013 (abstract)
Abstract:
Dendritic cells (DCs) and natural killer (NK) cells are central components of innate immunity for controlling tumor growth. The therapeutic effects of certain anti-myeloma drugs are partially mediated by targeting the innate immune response. In addition, novel types of natural compounds have been developed that efficiently modulate the activity of both the cellular and humoral compartments of immunity. MGN-3 is known as an activator of natural killer cells, inducer of apoptosis and cytokine production, and modulator of dendritic cell maturation and differentiation in vitro. We have performed a randomized, placebo-controlled study to examine the effects of MGN-3 on innate immune system parameters in 48 multiple myeloma patients. We performed immunophenotypic analysis of peripheral blood samples, determined NK cell activity, and assessed the cytokine profiles of plasma before and during 3 months of treatment. The results demonstrate a clear increase in NK activity in MGN-3-treated patients compared to the placebo group, an increased level of myeloid DCs in peripheral blood, and augmented concentrations of T helper cell type 1-related cytokines. The present study suggests that MGN-3 may represent an immunologically relevant product for activating innate immunity in multiple myeloma patients and warrants further testing to demonstrate clinical efficacy."
No mention of any response in the patients. It could be worth asking your doctor if they think this could interfere with any of the meds you may be taking.
Keep us updated if you decide to take this.
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Mark11
Re: Supplements that stimulate natural killer cells?
Hi,
I just noticed this in vitro (Petri dish) study on pubmed which identified synergy between MGN-3 and Curcumin. I don't take MGN-3 but wanted to add this to the thread.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21275460
Best! BN
I just noticed this in vitro (Petri dish) study on pubmed which identified synergy between MGN-3 and Curcumin. I don't take MGN-3 but wanted to add this to the thread.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21275460
Best! BN
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Bar-none - Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/14
Re: Supplements that stimulate natural killer cells?
Thanks Bar-none.
I have been on 10 mg Revlimid as maintenance for 13 months.
I started maintenance after my induction therapy ended. At the commencement of maintenance, my M-spike was 0.1 g/dL. After four months of maintenance, it went down to zero. It stayed at zero for a few months. Then it went to 0.05 and then to 0.1. I have been taking curcumin and modified rice bran supplements since it went back up to 0.1. During the period when I have taken the supplements, my M-spike stayed at 0.1 for a few months, then 0.2, then 0.3, and then back down to 0.1. Last month it went to 0.2. FYI, My FLC ratio has been normal for each of the of the past 22 months.
At this point I can't really tell whether these supplements have been helpful. But, I have had stable disease for over a year and the 10 mg of Revlimid plus the supplements are pretty manageable for me.
So, I am staying the course and continuing with the supplements.
... to be continued.
I have been on 10 mg Revlimid as maintenance for 13 months.
I started maintenance after my induction therapy ended. At the commencement of maintenance, my M-spike was 0.1 g/dL. After four months of maintenance, it went down to zero. It stayed at zero for a few months. Then it went to 0.05 and then to 0.1. I have been taking curcumin and modified rice bran supplements since it went back up to 0.1. During the period when I have taken the supplements, my M-spike stayed at 0.1 for a few months, then 0.2, then 0.3, and then back down to 0.1. Last month it went to 0.2. FYI, My FLC ratio has been normal for each of the of the past 22 months.
At this point I can't really tell whether these supplements have been helpful. But, I have had stable disease for over a year and the 10 mg of Revlimid plus the supplements are pretty manageable for me.
So, I am staying the course and continuing with the supplements.
... to be continued.
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Myeloma Fighter - Name: Myeloma Fighter
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: February, 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Supplements that stimulate natural killer cells?
Thank you so much for posting about this topic. I have been studying about green tea extract as well as glucan D. My husband has smoldering myeloma (10% plasma with 1.0 M-spike with IgG kappa light chain). After he has his first 3-month checkup next month (to be sure he is still stable), I would like to start him on the glucan D.
Here are some studies:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=%22beta-Glucans/therapeutic+use%22MAJR
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1454530/pdf/immunology00159-0136.pdf
I already purchased the Transfer Point Glucan and am waiting until March before we begin the supplements.
Myeloma Fighter - May I ask what brand of curcumin and modified rice bran supplements you are taking and how much ?
Thank you for this information.
Here are some studies:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=%22beta-Glucans/therapeutic+use%22MAJR
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1454530/pdf/immunology00159-0136.pdf
I already purchased the Transfer Point Glucan and am waiting until March before we begin the supplements.
Myeloma Fighter - May I ask what brand of curcumin and modified rice bran supplements you are taking and how much ?
Thank you for this information.
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brandyjoco - Name: brandyjoco
- Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Supplements that stimulate natural killer cells?
Hi,
There may be some benefit to cycling this to avoid NK overstimulation. The connotation appears to be seasonal viral infections and not cancer however. I'm not sure what the optimal cycle would be but perhaps someone else could comment.
References:
Joncker NT, Raulet DH. Regulation of NK cell responsiveness to achieve self-tolerance and maximal responses to diseased target cells. Immunol Rev. 2008 Aug;224:85-97 (full text at Pubmed Central).
Baschuk N, Wang N, Watt SV, et al. NK cell intrinsic regulation of MIP-1 by granzyme M. Cell Death Dis. 2014 Mar 13;5:e1115 (full text of article).
Best! BN
There may be some benefit to cycling this to avoid NK overstimulation. The connotation appears to be seasonal viral infections and not cancer however. I'm not sure what the optimal cycle would be but perhaps someone else could comment.
References:
Joncker NT, Raulet DH. Regulation of NK cell responsiveness to achieve self-tolerance and maximal responses to diseased target cells. Immunol Rev. 2008 Aug;224:85-97 (full text at Pubmed Central).
Baschuk N, Wang N, Watt SV, et al. NK cell intrinsic regulation of MIP-1 by granzyme M. Cell Death Dis. 2014 Mar 13;5:e1115 (full text of article).
Best! BN
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Bar-none - Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/14
Re: Supplements that stimulate natural killer cells?
I have been taking 2 products from Life Extension. One is called NK Cell Activator. I take 2 500 mg pills daily. I have done it for 3 months then I took one month off. I also take ADVANCED Bio-Curcumin, 2 630 mg pills a day. Also for 3 months then one month off.
I have no reason to recommend these supplements over others from other suppliers. These happen to be the ones I discovered and starting using. Again, I have no idea whether they work. This is only what I have been doing.
I have no reason to recommend these supplements over others from other suppliers. These happen to be the ones I discovered and starting using. Again, I have no idea whether they work. This is only what I have been doing.
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Myeloma Fighter - Name: Myeloma Fighter
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: February, 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Supplements that stimulate natural killer cells?
There is also a study relating regular exercise to improved NK cell function as well. Another benefit of regular exercise.
AB Bigley and RJ Simpson, "NK Cells and Exercise: Implications for Cancer Immunotherapy and Survivorship," Discovery Medicine, June 26, 2015 (full text of article)
Abstract:
Natural Killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic effectors of the innate immune system that are able to recognize and eradicate tumor cells without prior antigenic exposure. Tumor infiltration by NK-cells is associated with prolonged survival in cancer patients and high NK-cell cytotoxicity has been linked to decreased cancer risk. Allogeneic adoptive transfer of NK-cells from healthy donors to cancer patients has shown promise as a means of controlling or reversing the spread of multiple human malignancies including multiple myeloma and acute myeloid leukemia. However, multiple issues remain that undermine the efficacy of long-term cancer treatment using adoptive transfer of NK-cells including loss of activating receptors and cytotoxic potential in transferred NK-cells. Moreover, chronic exercise has been linked to improved NK-cell cytotoxicity, prognosis, and survival in cancer patients, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation is associated with enhanced NK-cell function after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and decreased relapse risk in AML patients. In this work, we explore the potential of exercise- and CMV-driven alterations in NK-cell phenotype and function to increase the efficacy of NK-cells for cancer immunotherapy and prolong survival in cancer patients. We conclude that acute exercise and CMV are both capable of enhancing NK-cell cytotoxicity through distinct mechanisms; however, these effects are not additive as CMV infection is associated with an impaired acute exercise response. Thus, we suggest that either acute exercise or in vitro expansion of NKG2C+/NKG2A- NK-cells (as seen in those with CMV) could serve as a simple strategy for enhancing the anti-tumor cytotoxicity of NK-cells for immunotherapy, and that exercise training could be used to improve survivorship in cancer patients being treated with either HSCT or NK-cell infusions.
AB Bigley and RJ Simpson, "NK Cells and Exercise: Implications for Cancer Immunotherapy and Survivorship," Discovery Medicine, June 26, 2015 (full text of article)
Abstract:
Natural Killer (NK) cells are cytotoxic effectors of the innate immune system that are able to recognize and eradicate tumor cells without prior antigenic exposure. Tumor infiltration by NK-cells is associated with prolonged survival in cancer patients and high NK-cell cytotoxicity has been linked to decreased cancer risk. Allogeneic adoptive transfer of NK-cells from healthy donors to cancer patients has shown promise as a means of controlling or reversing the spread of multiple human malignancies including multiple myeloma and acute myeloid leukemia. However, multiple issues remain that undermine the efficacy of long-term cancer treatment using adoptive transfer of NK-cells including loss of activating receptors and cytotoxic potential in transferred NK-cells. Moreover, chronic exercise has been linked to improved NK-cell cytotoxicity, prognosis, and survival in cancer patients, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation is associated with enhanced NK-cell function after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and decreased relapse risk in AML patients. In this work, we explore the potential of exercise- and CMV-driven alterations in NK-cell phenotype and function to increase the efficacy of NK-cells for cancer immunotherapy and prolong survival in cancer patients. We conclude that acute exercise and CMV are both capable of enhancing NK-cell cytotoxicity through distinct mechanisms; however, these effects are not additive as CMV infection is associated with an impaired acute exercise response. Thus, we suggest that either acute exercise or in vitro expansion of NKG2C+/NKG2A- NK-cells (as seen in those with CMV) could serve as a simple strategy for enhancing the anti-tumor cytotoxicity of NK-cells for immunotherapy, and that exercise training could be used to improve survivorship in cancer patients being treated with either HSCT or NK-cell infusions.
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Mark11
Re: Supplements that stimulate natural killer cells?
Mark,
Thanks for that link. The article is pretty dense, but the conclusions are fairly easy to understand. It's sort of odd to read about "chronic exercise" – not a term I had heard before – but an affliction that I think I may have.
Thanks for that link. The article is pretty dense, but the conclusions are fairly easy to understand. It's sort of odd to read about "chronic exercise" – not a term I had heard before – but an affliction that I think I may have.
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goldmine848 - Name: Andrew
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Supplements that stimulate natural killer cells?
Myeloma Fighter:
I'm curious why you take a month off your supplements?
I'm curious why you take a month off your supplements?
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Janet1520
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