Characterizing the Efficacy of Fermented Wheat Germ Extract Against Ovarian Cancer and Defining the Genomic Basis of Its Activity
Ardeshir Hakam, Douglas C. Marchion, Dung-Tsa Chen, Elona Bicaku, Entidhar Al Sawah, Hye Sook Chon, Jesus Gonzalez-Bosquet, Johnathan M. Lancaster, Nadim Bou Zgheib, Patricia L. Judson, Robert M. Wenham, Sachin M. Apte, Xiaomang B. Stickles, Yin Xiong
International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, 2012
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Most women with advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer (OVCA) ultimately develop chemoresistant recurrent disease. Therefore, a great need to develop new, more active, and less toxic agents and/or to optimize the efficacy of existing agents exists.
METHODS:
In this study, we investigated the activity of Avemar, a natural, nontoxic, fermented wheat germ extract (FWGE), against a range of OVCA cell lines, both alone and in combination with cisplatin chemotherapy and delineated the molec (»)
Promising cytotoxic activity profile of fermented wheat germ extract (Avemar) in human cancer cell lines
K. Jordan, T. Mueller, W. Voigt
Journal of Experimental and Clinical Cancer Research, 2011
Abstract
Fermented wheat germ extract (FWGE) is currently used as nutrition supplement for cancer patients. Limited recent data suggest antiproliferative, antimetastatic and immunological effects which were at least in part exerted by two quinones, 2-methoxy benzoquinone and 2,6-dimethoxybenzquinone as ingredients of FWGE. These activity data prompted us to further evaluate the in vitro antiproliferative activity of FWGE alone or in combination with the commonly used cytotoxic drugs 5-FU, oxaliplatin or irinotecan i (»)
Promising cytotoxic activity profile of fermented wheat germ extract (Avemar®) in human cancer cell lines
F. Reipisch, H.J. Schmoll, K. Jordan, K. Nerger, T. Mueller, W. Voigt
European Journal of Cancer Supplements, 2009
Abstract
Avemar is a fermented wheat germ extract with potent antimetastatic, antiproliferative and immunomodulatory activities. Chemically, it is a complex mixture of biologically active molecules including 2-methoxy-p-benzoquinone and 2,6-dimethoxy-p-benzoquinone which were supposed to be responsible for the main biological properties of Avemar. Despite its ubiquitous use as nutrition supplement for cancer patients in some countries only limited data are available on its activity in human cancer or in combination (»)
Avemar, a nontoxic fermented wheat germ extract, attenuates the growth of sensitive and 5-FdUrd/Ara-C cross-resistant H9 human lymphoma cells through induction of apoptosis
A. Lackner, G. Graser, G. Krupitza, M. Fritzer-Szekeres, M. Grusch, M. Hídvégi, M. Ozsvar-Kozma, P. Saiko, R. P. Agrawal, S. Madlener, T. Szekeres, W. Jaeger
Oncology reports, 2009
Abstract
Avemar (MSC) is a nontoxic fermented wheat germ extract, which has been shown to significantly improve the survival rate in patients suffering from various malignancies. We investigated its effects in sensitive and 5-FdUrd/Ara-C cross-resistant H9 human lymphoma cells. After 48 and 72 h of incubation, Avemar inhibited the growth of sensitive H9 cells with IC50 values of 290 and 200 microg/ml, whereas the growth of 5-FdUrd/Ara-C cross-resistant H9 cells was attenuated with IC50 values o (»)
Changes in The Kinase Expression Panel of K562 Human Leukemia After Avemar Treatment
A. Telekes, E. Rásó
Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2007
Abstract
Background: The positive effect of the wheat germ extract Avemar has already been proved in cancer. Compared to the control group significantly longer survival times were achieved in both in vivo experiments and clinical studies. Inhibition of cell growth was also detected in K562 human leukaemia cell line in vitro. Avemar given p.o.(3 g/kg) resulted in significant increase of the survival time compared to the control group (p<0.005 Mann-Whitney) in i.v. implanted K562 xenograft model, which was practically (»)
Avemar, a nontoxic fermented wheat germ extract, induces apoptosis and inhibits ribonucleotide reductase in human HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells
A. Bernhaus, A. Lackner, G. Krupitza, K. Ammer, M. Fritzer-Szekeres, M. Grusch, M. Ozsvar-Kozma, P. Saiko, S. Madlener, T. Szekeres, W. Jaeger, Zs. Horváth
Cancer Letters, 2006
Abstract
Avemar (MSC) is a nontoxic fermented wheat germ extract demonstrated to significantly improve the survival rate in patients suffering from various malignancies. We investigated its effects in human HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells. After 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation, Avemar inhibited the growth of HL-60 cells with IC50 values of 400, 190, and 160 µg/ml, respectively. Incubation with MSC caused dose-dependent induction of apoptosis in up to 85% of tumor cells. In addition, Avemar attenuated th (»)
Cytotoxic activities of fermented wheat germ extract (Avemar) on human gastric carcinoma cells by induction of apoptosis
H. Park, K. E. Lee, S. N. Lee
Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2005
Abstract
Background: The fermented wheat germ extract (code name:MSC, trade name: Avemar), is a complex mixture of biologically active molecules with potent anti-metastatic activities in various human malignancies. The objective of this study was to examine the in vitro cytotoxic activities of Avemar on 5 human gastric carcinoma cell lines and to test whether the mechanism involves induction of apoptosis. Methods: Cytotoxic activities of Avemar on 5 human gastric carcinoma cell lines (SNU-1, SNU-5, SNU-16, SNU-620, (»)
Synergistic effect of Avemar on proinflammatory cytokine production and Ras-mediated cell activation
Á. Resetár, A. Telekes, E. Duda, E. E. Qwarnstrom, E. Kiss-Tóth, E. Kúsz, S. K. Dower, T. Nagy, T. polgár
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2005
Abstract
Macrophages activated by lipopolysaccharide and/or phorbol esters exhibited high sensitivity to Avemar, a fermented wheat germ extract. Avemar synergized with lipopolysaccharide and PMA in the induction of the transcription of cytokine genes and release of inflammatory cytokines. At higher concentrations the preparation had a significant negative effect on the proliferation and survival of activated myeloid cell types. Avemar treatment induced the synthesis of ICAM-1 and synergized with the ICAM-inducing ef (»)
Immunologic and biochemical effects of the fermented wheat germ extract Avemar
A. Losert, C. Illmer, G. Krupitza, I. Herbacek, M. Fritzer-Szekeres, M. Grusch, P. Saiko, S. Madlener, T. Szekeres, Zs. Horváth
Experimental Biology and Medicine, 2005
Abstract
Avemar (MSC) is a nontoxic fermented wheat germ extract demonstrated to have antitumor effects. Avemar has the potential to significantly improve the survival rate in patients suffering from malignant colon tumors. We studied its effects in the HT-29 human colon carcinoma cell line. Avemar had an inhibiting effect on colonies of HT-29 cells with an IC50 value of 118 lg/ml (7 days of incubation); this value could be decreased to 100 and 75 lg/ml in the presence of vitamin C. In the cell line examined, Ave (»)
Effect of simultaneous administration of Avemar and cytostatic drugs on viability of cell cultures, growth of experimental tumors, and survival tumor-bearing mice
A. Tompa, B. Szende, Z. marcsek, Zs. Kocsis
Cancer Biotherapy & Radiopharmaceuticals, 2004
Abstract
Avemar, a wheat germ preparation with immunomodulant and antimetastatic activity, was applied simultaneously with cytostatic drugs of different modes of action, in vitro and in vivo, in order to find out whether this simultaneous administration exerts an antagonistic or a synergistic effect on the viability of cell cultures, tumor growth, and survival of animals, inoculated with a transplantable mouse tumor (3LL-HH). In vitro, Avemar did not influence the effect on the viability of MCF-7, HepG2, or Vero cel (»)
The efficacy of tamoxifen in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells is enhanced by a medical nutriment
A. Tompa, B. Szende, M. Jakab, Z. marcsek, Zs. Kocsis
Cancer Biotherapy & Radiopharmaceuticals, 2004
Abstract
Avemar, a fermented wheat germ extract, has been applied in the supplementary therapy of human cancers. Because tamoxifen is commonly used in the therapy of ER+ breast cancer, in this study the combined effect of tamoxifen and Avemar treatment was investigated on MCF-7 breast cancer cells, in order to detect a possible agonistic or antagonistic action. Cytotoxicity was measured by MTT assay, the percentage of mitoses and apoptotic cells was determined morphologically, apoptosis and S-phase was measured by f (»)
Chemoprevention with tamoxifen and Avemar by inducing apoptosis on MCF-7 (ER+) breast cancer cells
A. Tompa, B. Szende, M. Hídvégi, M. Jakab, Z. marcsek, Zs. Kocsis
2nd Congress of the World Society for Breast Health, 2003
Abstract
In the present study the combined effect of in vitro tamoxifen and Avemar treatment was studied on MCF-7 (ER+) breast cells as a model of a breast cancer situation. Cells were transformed for 24, 48 and 72 hours, cytotoxicity was measured by MTT assay, the percentage of apoptosis and cell proliferation was determined by flow cytometry, hematoxilin/cosin staining and by immunochemistry using the ApopTag reaction. Estrogen receptor activation was studied by semi-quantitative determination of the estr (»)
Chemopreventive role of Avemar in decreasing the cytotoxic effect of xenobiotics
Anna Tompa, Zoltán L. Marcsek, Zsuzsanna Kocsis
Journal of the International Society for Advanced Cytometry, 2003
Abstract
The chemopreventive effect of AVEMAR, a new natural medicinal product dominantly composed of substituted benzochinon (2,6-dimethoxy-p-benzochinon), extracted from fermented wheat germ was studied. Earlier studies demonstrated that AVEMAR exhibits anti-metastatic, immunrestitutive, antioxidant properties, and able to increase apoptosis. The in vitro cytotoxic effect of AVEMAR was determined using the MTT assay on both normal (MRC-5) and transformed (Vero, HepG2, MCF-7, MDA-MB-231) cell lines. MCF-7 and He (»)
A metabolic hypothesis of cell growth and death in pancreatic cancer
L. G. Boros, V. L. W. Go, W. Paul Lee
Pancreas, 2002
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Tumor cells, just as other living cells, possess the potential for proliferation, differentiation, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis. There is a specific metabolic phenotype associated with each of these conditions, characterized by the production of both energy and special substrates necessary for the cells to function in that particular state. Unlike that of normal living cells, the metabolic phenotype of tumor cells supports the proliferative state.
AIM: To present the metabolic hypothes (»)
Fermented wheat germ extract induces apoptosis and downregulation of major histocompatibility complex class I proteins in tumor T and B cell lines
Á. Resetár, A. Telekes, Cs. Vizler, D. Demydenko, É. Monostori, G. Ion, M. Hídvégi, R. Fajka-Boja, R. Tömösközi-Farkas, Y. Shoenfeld
International Journal of Oncology, 2002
Abstract
The fermented wheat germ extract (code name: MSC, trade name: Avemar), with standardized benzoquinone content has been shown to inhibit tumor propagation and metastases formation in vivo. The aim of this study was to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the anti-tumor effect of MSC. Therefore, we have designed in vitro model experiments using T and B tumor lymphocytic cell lines. Tyrosine phosphorylation of intracellular proteins and elevation of the intracellular Ca2+ concentrati (»)
Fermented wheat germ extract inhibits glycolysis/pentose cycle enzymes and induces apoptosis through poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase activation in Jurkat T-cell leukemia tumor cells
B. Comín-Anduix, C. Callol-Massot, J. Boren, J. J. Centelles, J. L. Torres, L. G. Boros, M. Cascante, N. Angell, S. Bassilian, S. Marin
The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2002
Abstract
The fermented extract of wheat germ, trade name Avemar, is a complex mixture of biologically active molecules with potent anti-metastatic activities in various human malignancies. Here we report the effect of Avemar on Jurkat leukemia cell viability, proliferation, cell cycle distribution, apoptosis, and the activity of key glycolytic/pentose cycle enzymes that control carbon flow for nucleic acid synthesis. The cytotoxic IC50 concentration of Avemar for Jurkat tumor cells is 0.2 mg/ml, and incre (»)
Metabolic Profiling of Cell Growth and Death in Cancer: Applications in Drug Discovery
L. G. Boros, M. Cascante, W. Paul Lee
Drug Discovery Today, 2002
Abstract
Metabolic profiling using stable-isotope tracer technology enables the measurement of substrate redistribution within major metabolic pathways in living cells. This technique has been demonstrated that tranformed human cells exhibit profound metabolic shifts and that some and anti-cancer drugs produce their effects by forcing a reversion of these metabolic changes. By revealing tumor-specific metabolic shifts in tumor cells, metabolic profiling enables drug developers to identify the metabolic steps that co (»)
Wheat germ extract decreases glucose uptake and RNA ribose formation but increases fatty acid synthesis in MIA pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells
Á. Balogh, B. Szende, J. Boren, K. Lapis, L. G. Boros, M. Cascante, M. Hídvégi, R. Tömösköziné Farkas, S. Marin
Pancreas, 2001
Abstract
The fermented wheat germ extract with standardized benzoquinone composition has potent tumor propagation inhibitory properties. The authors show that this extract induces profound metabolic changes in cultured MIA pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells when the [1,2-13C2]glucose isotope is used as the single tracer with biologic gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. MIA cells treated with 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/mL wheat germ extract showed a dose-dependent decrease in cell glucose consumption, upt (»)