Grapefruit Juice Could Cancer Treatment

In a small study of patients with in curable cancer, drinking 8 ounces of grapefruit juice a day boosted the effect of a drug they were given during the study. Although some participants had a response, tumours did not disappear after using the drug, which is mostly used to treat conditions unrelated to cancer.

The study’s finding was that grapefruit juice might allow using smaller drug dosages, reducing side effect and costs. Sirolimus (Rapmune) is an immunosuppressant and not approved as a cancer drug. Its primary use is to prevent rejection after kidney transplants. It is also used as a treatment for psoriasis, the researchers noted.

Some early studies suggest that sirolimus may have tumor-fighting effects. Derivatives of the drug are used in kidney cancer and breast cancer. The drug, however, has what is called poor bioavailability, which means the body can’t use it efficiently. Only about 14 per cent gets absorbed, aid lead researcher. We thought if we could manipulate it we could increase the availability, make it easier to take and make it more effective.

With grapefruit juice or another drug, the researchers were able to increase the effectiveness and also lower the dose of sirolimus. This has a wider application beyond 'sirolimus. This is a proof of principle that grapefruit juice could be used in this way.This same tactic will work with other cancer drugs and could dramatically reduce costs.