Excellent article on Myeloma (bone marrow and blood) cancer in the Myeloma Beacon. To read more on Cancer, Red Wine Grape extracts, and Resveratrol, CLICK HERE.

Red Wine, Resveratrol, And Multiple Myeloma: The Evidence Is Promising, But Needs Further Study

By Francie Diep 
Published: Sep 11, 2009 8:20 pm

The Myeloma Beacon

EXCERPT from ARTICLE: Click to Read Entire Article

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 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 most recent research on cell lines, 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.