Takahashi Hidenori, Kawaguchi Mitsuhiko, Kitamura Kunihiro, Narumiya Seiji, Kawamura Munenori, Tengan Isamu, Nishimoto Shinji, Hanamure Yasuo, Majima Yasuo, Tsubura Shuichi, Teruya Kiichiro, Shirahata Sanetaka
1 University of the Ryukyus Hospital, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa, Japan.
2 Seren Clinic Fukuoka, Fukuoka, Japan.
Integr Cancer Ther. 2018 Jun;17(2):282-291. doi: 10.1177/1534735417692097. Epub 2017 Feb 12.
Conventional anticancer therapies still cause difficulties with selective eradication and accompanying side effects that reduce patients' quality of life (QOL). Fucoidan is extracted from seaweeds and has already exhibited broad bioactivities, including anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties, in basic studies. It is expected to enhance therapeutic efficacy and minimize side effects in cancer patients; however, despite its potential benefits, there are very few clinical trials using fucoidans. Therefore, we performed an exploratory clinical study for advanced cancer patients to examine the efficacy of fucoidans, especially focusing on inflammation in relation to QOL scores.
We conducted a prospective, open-label clinical study for advanced cancer patients using fucoidans via oral administration; 20 advanced cancer patients with metastases were recruited and were given 400 mL/d fucoidan (10 mg/mL) for at least 4 weeks. Inflammatory biomarkers, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and various cytokines, and QOL scores were monitored before treatment, after 2 weeks, and after 4 weeks of fucoidan ingestion.
The main proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were significantly reduced after 2 weeks of fucoidan ingestion. QOL scores, including fatigue, stayed almost stable without significant changes during the study period. The univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that the responsiveness of IL-1β was a significant independent prognostic factor.
This is the first study providing evidence of the anti-inflammatory effects of fucoidans for advanced cancer patients. In future studies, larger blinded, controlled trials are required to establish the efficacy of fucoidan as supportive care for cancer patients, especially those undergoing chemotherapy.
传统抗癌疗法在选择性根除肿瘤以及伴随的副作用方面仍存在困难，这些副作用会降低患者的生活质量（QOL）。岩藻依聚糖是从海藻中提取的，在基础研究中已显示出广泛的生物活性，包括抗癌和抗炎特性。预计它能提高癌症患者的治疗效果并将副作用降至最低；然而，尽管有潜在益处，但使用岩藻依聚糖的临床试验却非常少。因此，我们对晚期癌症患者进行了一项探索性临床研究，以检验岩藻依聚糖的疗效，尤其关注与生活质量评分相关的炎症情况。
我们对晚期癌症患者进行了一项前瞻性、开放标签的临床研究，通过口服给予岩藻依聚糖；招募了20名有转移灶的晚期癌症患者，给予他们每天400毫升岩藻依聚糖（10毫克/毫升），持续至少4周。在治疗前、岩藻依聚糖摄入2周后和4周后，监测包括高敏C反应蛋白和各种细胞因子在内的炎症生物标志物以及生活质量评分。
摄入岩藻依聚糖2周后，包括白细胞介素 - 1β（IL - 1β）、IL - 6和肿瘤坏死因子 - α（TNF - α）在内的主要促炎细胞因子显著降低。包括疲劳在内的生活质量评分在研究期间几乎保持稳定，没有显著变化。单变量和多变量分析显示，IL - 1β的反应性是一个显著的独立预后因素。
这是第一项为晚期癌症患者提供岩藻依聚糖具有抗炎作用证据的研究。在未来的研究中，需要进行更大规模的双盲、对照试验，以确定岩藻依聚糖作为癌症患者（尤其是接受化疗的患者）支持性护理的疗效。
