Any information on CoQ10 (Ubiquinol) while on Imbruvica for CLL ?

[vog292]

I have CLL and take Imbruvica. The pharmacist at my oncology group has no objection. Any ideas about pro or con, and whether it is useful ?

[cllady01 Former Volunteer]

I'd advise asking your hematology/oncologist about adding any medications/supplements esp. while on treatment

You might be interested in this article:

jeccr.biomedcentral.com/art...

Conclusions

OS has both beneficial and negative effect on leukemogenesis. Most of the genes that regulate the redox processes have double edged sword activities. This makes it difficult to determine the optimum point to harness the therapeutic attributes because only a very thin line separates the oncogenic properties from the tumor suppressive activity. A better understanding of the relationship between OS and leukemogenesis will give more insight on how to ameliorate its deleterious effect and how to tap unto the beneficial attributes. It is known that ROS causes nonspecific oxidative damage to biomolecules in myeloid cells, under this condition there is a persistent increase in ROS level and depletion of the cell’s antioxidant defenses culminating in cancer induction.

Another process is the hyperactivation of ROS signaling pathway. Significant progress has been made in developing therapeutic measures for various types of leukemia and some can be cured while treatment for some such as, myeloid leukemia are still difficult.

New effective therapeutic strategies are needed. Increased OS in some myeloid leukemia may be a promising therapeutic target.

Despite the negative effect of OS to the cell, tapping into the possible application of its activities for therapeutic capabilities is worth pursuing because even the current leukemia treatment drugs have cytotoxic effects as well.

Further studies are required to determine the source and species of ROS generated by leukemic cells and whether the ROS that has therapeutic effects originate from the normal cell metabolism or from the malignant cell population.

The knowledge that OS induces lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation by inactivating antioxidant enzymes could be used to determine an efficient and effective way to boost endogenous production and incorporation of antioxidants into diets to neutralize the free radical produced by cellular metabolisms. This may serve as potent prophylaxis for various leukemia since most cancers develop under OS environment. It is heartening that some drugs based on oxidative mechanisms are on clinical trial stage.

Further studies are needed to understand the effectiveness, long time effect and consequences of using such drugs.

[Lilsa in reply to cllady01]

A complex paper, my head aches trying to understand it.

But what I gather from it is that antioxidants, including Co-enzyme Q10 are protective of DNA in cells, and therefore protective of the cells.

CLL progresses because the cancerous lymphocytes don’t die but accumulate in blood, marrow and lymph nodes.

We want them to die but could be protecting them by taking Co-enzyme Q10 supplements.

I am interested in this topic because I used to take this supplement as I take a statin for cholesterol control. For the last 5 months I continued on with the statin without the Co-enzyme Q10.

Liz. Australia

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to Lilsa]

Different cancer treatments utilize a variety of different, unique reactive oxygen species for their cytotoxicity, even though they are frequently referred to as if all chemotherapy or cancer treatments were the same. The antioxidants from dietary, botanical, and other available sources come in many different forms as well. Some combinations of antioxidants and cancer treatments will interact, some will not, and as of today, we are not able to accurately predict which do or do not interact.

ascopost.com/issues/july-25...

[vog292 in reply to AussieNeil]

Thank you! Very useful.

[vog292 in reply to cllady01]

Thank you! I take your advice.

[Big_Dee]

Hello vog292

CoQ10 is an antioxidant and my instructions for B+R treatment, specific stated not to take CoQ10. Blessings.

[vog292 in reply to Big_Dee]

Thank you! Very useful! I will not take it. See a relaxing video: TRAVESSIA RIO BRACO NORTE .