jc101
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 Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 1:57 pm Post subject: Serial Phlebotomies Lower Cancer Rates and Mortality |
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J Natl Cancer Inst. 2008 Jul 16;100(14):996-1002.
Decreased cancer risk after iron reduction in patients with peripheral
arterial disease: results from a randomized trial.
Zacharski LR, Chow BK, Howes PS, Shamayeva G, Baron JA, Dalman RL,
Malenka DJ, Ozaki CK, Lavori PW.
Research Service (151), White River Junction VA Medical Center,
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 215 North Hartland
Road, White River Junction, VT 05009, USA.
leo.r.zacharski@dartmouth.edu
BACKGROUND: Excess iron has been implicated in cancer risk through
increased iron-catalyzed free radical-mediated oxidative stress.
METHODS: A multicenter randomized, controlled, single-blinded clinical
trial (VA Cooperative Study #410) tested the hypothesis that reducing
iron stores by phlebotomy would influence vascular outcomes in
patients with peripheral arterial disease. Patients without a visceral
malignancy in the last 5 years (n = 1277) were randomly assigned to
control (n = 641) or iron reduction (n = 636). Occurrence of new
visceral malignancy and cause-specific mortality data were collected
prospectively. Cancer and mortality outcomes in the two arms were
compared using intent-to-treat analysis with a Cox proportional
hazards regression model. Statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS:
Patients were followed up for an average of 4.5 years. Ferritin levels
were similar in both groups at baseline but were lower in iron
reduction patients than control patients across all 6-month visits
(mean = 79.7 ng/mL, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 73.8 to 85.5 ng/mL
vs 122.5 ng/mL, 95% CI = 115.5 to 129.5 ng/mL; P < .001). Risk of new
visceral malignancy was lower in the iron reduction group than in the
control group (38 vs 60, hazard ratio [HR] = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.43 to
0.97; P = .036), and, among patients with new cancers, those in the
iron reduction group had lower cancer-specific and all-cause mortality
(HR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.21 to 0.72; P = .003; and HR = 0.49, 95% CI =
0.29 to 0.83; P = .009, respectively) than those in the control group.
Mean ferritin levels across all 6-monthly visits were similar in
patients in the iron reduction and control groups who developed cancer
but were lower among all patients who did not develop cancer than
among those who did (76.4 ng/mL, 95% CI = 71.4 to 81.4 ng/mL, vs 127.1
ng/mL, 95% CI = 71.2 to 183.0 ng/mL; P = .017). CONCLUSIONS: Iron
reduction was associated with lower cancer risk and mortality. Further
studies are needed to define the role of body iron in cancer risk.
PMID: 18612130 |
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jc101
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| Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 6:17 pm Post subject: Re: Serial Phlebotomies Lower Cancer Rates and Mortality |
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On Jul 30, 12:35 pm, Doug Skrecky <obe...@vcn.bc.ca> wrote:
[quote]jc101 <uniqueprodu...@comcast.net> wrote:
"iron reduction group had lower cancer-specific and all-cause mortality
(HR = 0.39, 95% CI = 0.21 to 0.72; P = .003; and HR = 0.49, 95% CI > > 0.29 to 0.83; P = .009, respectively) than those in the control group.."
PMID: 18612130
Excellent results Jay! I>ll be adding this to my longevity
interventions database.
[/quote]
One should not think that ferritin is a totally adequate measure of
stored iron - I have given blood to the Red Cross every 8 weeks for 1
1/2 yrs now. After the 2nd donation, ferritin was subnormal <20 ng/ml,
yet I was able to continue donating. I have 10 units out now with
ferritin still subnormal. So the iron is being removed from deposits
that are not appreciated by ferritin readings - hemosiderin and
crystalline iron.
I intend to continue donating until I am unable to reach the minimum
hematocrit of 38 at the 8 week point, then will move to a 12 week
donation period for maintenance of lowest total body iron load. Even
those showing low ferritin have a lot of iron built up over the years
and this is an oxidative detriment. Keep it bled off.
JLC |
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