Red Wine, Resveratrol, And Multiple Myeloma: The Evidence Is Promising, But Needs Further Study
Published: Sep 11, 2009 8:20 pm
The latest research shows that resveratrol, one of the major active compounds in red wine, may effectively kill myeloma cells. But while drinking red wine has been proven to lower the risk of some cancers, the effects of red wine have not been studied in relation to multiple myeloma. The next step for resveratrol–clinical trials–has just begun.
Resveratrol is a type of polyphenol, which is a plant compound that has anti-oxidant properties. Grape skins have high concentrations of resveratrol, which is why it appears abundantly in red wine. Peanuts, raspberries, the herb knotweed, and certain other plants also have high concentrations of the compound. Resveratrol‘s anti-cancer properties were first found in 1997, and the compound has been intensely studied since.
The Latest Research
The most recent research in cell cultures, or myeloma cells bred and maintained in labs, finds that resveratrol can kill myeloma cells and reduce the symptoms of multiple myeloma in several ways:
- University of Texas scientists showed that resveratrol suppressed the genes that protect myeloma cells from dying. In experiments, resveratrol killed myeloma cells that were resistant to chemotherapy and enhanced the effects of Velcade (bortezomib) and thalidomide (Thalomid). The scientists published their study in the journal Blood (abstract) in December 2006.
- Scientists at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, China, showed that resveratrol suppresses proteins that myeloma cells need to grow quickly. However, they found that the doses they used were much higher than the levels found in people after drinking red wine or even eating pure resveratrol. They suggested further studies look at applying resveratrol directly to tumors. The journal Acta Pharmacologica Sinica (abstract) published their results in November 2006.
- A study done at the Vejle Hospital in Denmark supported findings that resveratrol enhances myeloma cell death. Additionally, the Vejle scientists showed that resveratrol healed bones. It inhibited the cells that break down bone and worked with vitamin D to build new bone. The study appeared in the journal Cancer Research in November 2005.
All the studies suggested that resveratrol is relatively safe. It often causes fewer side effects than the chemotherapy drugs commonly used today. Resveratrol is an “ideal molecule” for chemotherapy, wrote scientists in a review published in the Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics (abstract) in January.
“I am hoping safe agents like resveratrol are pursued actively,” wrote Dr. Bharat Aggarwal, a University of Texas cancer researcher, in an e-mail to the Myeloma Beacon. “Cell culture data tells us that resveratrol has the potential against multiple myeloma cells but it is not conclusive.”
There are a “million reasons” why cell line studies might not translate directly to treatments, he continued. “Perhaps the most important is that the human body is more complex than a few cells in culture.”
In his Blood publication, he and his colleagues wrote that resveratrol’s apparent safety and efficacy merited clinical trials.
The Myeloma Beacon found one clinical trial on resveratrol and multiple myeloma. The Phase 2, GlaxoSmithKline trial is currently recruiting participants in Denmark and the United Kingdom. However, no other ongoing trials or published results could be found.
“We need more trials,” wrote Aggarwal.
Drinking Red Wine
How the published research applies to red wine consumption is uncertain. There are no studies on drinking red wine and multiple myeloma. Studies about red wine and other cancers had mixed results.
In February, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (abstract) published research that showed that drinking any alcohol, including red wine, increased women’s risk of some cancers but decreased women’s risk of other cancers.
Red wine’s effects on prostate cancer made the news in 2007, but the newest research suggests otherwise. A 2005 Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center study found that drinking red wine was associated with lowered risk, but studies since have seen no correlation. Examples include a June Kaiser Permanente (abstract) study and a 2007 Johns Hopkins study, both published in the International Journal of Cancer.
Resveratrol Supplements
Considering the positive results of resveratrol cell line studies, however, people with multiple myeloma may decide to try one of the many resveratrol capsules and powders on the market. Those who do should keep in mind that at the moment, resveratrol is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration as a dietary supplement. Companies who make it are responsible for ensuring it is safe, but do not need to register with the FDA.
After a supplement is on the market, the FDA monitors its safety but not its effectiveness. There is not yet any medical standard for how much resveratrol patients should take, or how often. Patients can read tips on how to choose supplements on the FDA’s Web site.
Though many companies follow the rules, patients should beware of those who do not. One resveratrol manufacturer drew high-profile lawsuits and criticism last month, reported the New York Times. Business watchdog the Better Business Bureau slammed FWM Laboratories Inc.’s “grossly misleading” advertising and fraudulent business practices.
It may be a while yet before resveratrol is tested to modern medicine’s standards of safety and efficacy. Meanwhile, patients have many factors to consider before choosing to drink red wine in moderation or to take resveratrol supplements. Patients should always consult their physician before taking resveratrol or changing their consumption of red wine.
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Terrific article. Do you have any contacts for any human cancer studies at any universities or research labs?
I was previously not aware of direct Resveratrol studies with Myeloma, though am aware of several others involving different forms of cancer. Our Learning Center has several other posts on Resveratrol, red wine grape extracts and how they relate to cancer and other illnesses including diabetes, Alzheimer's, heart disease, etc.
Our laboratories also manufacture Resveratrol and red wine grape supplements and the manufacturing plant is FDA, TGA and GMP approved. It's a shame that companies like FWM tarnish our industry. Mark Juliano - Vinomis Laboratories
Dear Mark Juliano:
Thank you for your response! I don't have any research contacts for you, but the U.S. National Institutes of Health's ClinicalTrials.gov Web site is a good place to look for human cancer studies. Here's a list of ongoing clinical studies on resveratrol treatments for cancers and other diseases: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=resveratrol
I hope that was helpful. Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Francie
Resveratrol can only be effective if your supplier actually gives you what you purchase and the amount of trans-resveratrol conforms to the product's label claims. Consumer Lab, the recognized independent authority on supplement and over the counter drug testing, evaluated the major brands of resveratrol recently and found many lacking in content and quality. None of the newer companies, most of which use some form of the word resveratrol in their name, agreed to have their products tested. The highest potency products that passed their evaluation were Biotivia’s Transmax and Bioforte. Bioforte was also the lowest price per mg of active ingredient. The test was open to all brands. The results are on the ConsumerLab web site. Also,in tests done by the University of Bologne, Italy it was found that almost 80% of all so-called resveratrol products contained either no trans-resveratrol or less than ten percent of the label claimed amount of this essential compound. This is clearly a case of buyer beware.
my late husband died in 1987 from what the doctors diagnosed as peripheral neuropathy and amyloidosis. He served in the Military (navy) and later worked at a nuclear facility where chemicals were purposely exposed to the workers. Visit EEOICPA and Depart of Energy and search for radiation exposures.
I have to prove the peripheral neuropathy can be a disease by itself, and that amyloidosid can be caused by the PN>
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cell number is 1 352 870 5310, will answer as a business but it is my personal phone also.
Please contact me if anyone can help me get any answers to these questions.
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I regularly consume red wine with meals and I have been in MM remission for 4+ years. I'd like to think there is a connection.
I'll note that the studies are on reservatrol, not red wine. Red wine doesn't necessarily have the same effects as some other source of reservatrol (isolated, or grapeseed extract).
Resveratrol is in the news again. This newspaper article,
http://www.theday.com/article/20100201/BIZ02/302019981/-1/BIZ
reports on recent research that calls into question whether resveratrol can have all the positive effects it is sometimes believed to have. The research covered in the article, however, is not specific to resveratrol's potential impact on multiple myeloma. Still, it may be useful to those researching resveratrol and its potential use as a myeloma treatment.
6 years ago I was given 3 years to live because of myeloma. My IGA count was 2550 and I had an m-spike (do not know the value). I am now 76 years old.
Sometime later I read about a study reporting that reveratrol killed myeloma cells in rats.
I like grapes so I have eaten about 1000 pounds of red and black
grapes in the past 5 years.
My medication consisted of 3 months of dexamethasone and prednisone ofvarying amounts for the past 5 years.
My IGA is now about 300 (can be controlled by the amount of prednisone). My IGG has been steadily decreasing and is now around 500.
I also exercise - play tennis aboout 3 times a week.
No one knows why I am still alive. Grapes? Maybe!
I agree with Susanne's comment that it's worth watching out which resveratrol supplements you buy. Best not to be fooled by the label. I think that even though a recent study of resveratrol was ended prematurely due to 'safety concerns' the whole top of resveratrol in treatments of everything from cancer to alzheimers is worth continuing.
Resveratrol has made it into the news again. A clinical trial showed that resveratrol reduced inflammation, which may have a positive impact on type-2 diabetes, aging, heart disease, and stroke.
http://www.buffalo.edu/news/11583
I was dx with MM 39 months ago. Being a red wine drinker I have often referred to it as my chemo booster. There is no scientific data to support my claim but It certainly adds to the quality of my life.
My wife has mm going on two years. We have been searching for natural remedies and this may have promise. She is now taking curcumin, apricot seeds and will add red wine to the regimen. Time will tell.
What dose of curcumin does she take.
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