Molecular Iodine and Breast Cancer: What you must know

Breast cancer is a cancer type that develops from breast cells. It emerges from the inner lining of the milk ducts or the lobules that render them with milk. The growth of the malignant tumor can spread to other body parts. The vast majority of breast cancer mostly occurs among females. It should be noted that the majority of cases of breast cancer examined until now are because of iodine absence in the breast cells. For females, about 20% of iodine is required and 70% in the thyroid, and the remaining 5% for the rest of the body.

When we talk about the importance of iodine in females, devouring a lot of salt isn’t the right step. As iodized salt is practically the world’s long source of plentiful iodine. When the iodine level reduces, the iodine receptors are blocked by an increased rate of fluoride, chlorine, and bromides present in the water, food, and the environment, resulting in breast cancer.

How effective is molecular iodine for breast cancer?

According to a recent study, researchers have found that molecular iodine determines how it helps to protect women from fibrocystic breast condition, and it’s proven how it attacks breast cancer. Historically, several studies have suggested iodine supplementation to improve breast health, but none of them focused on how it works on FBC cells. Researchers are working their way to recognize the specific MOA that made molecular iodine effective.

The preclinical investigations have proven the MOA and the medical community a reason to revisit the historic research for hints on utilizing molecular iodine to cure and protect women.

What was the two different research?

Researchers conducted in vitro studies to observe the biochemical interaction on how the molecular iodine affects breast cancer cells and the cells from the fibrocystic breast tissue. Using an MCF10A, a human immortalized mammary epithelial cell line from the fibrocystic breast tissues of a 36-year-old female caucasian, the FBC study used molecular iodine at multiple doses and the growth or the production of the cells were measured. This followed by a gene expression analysis of major valid markers, that are accountable for cell growth and cell death. In this study also, primary human mammary epithelial cells were used from a healthy female donor.

This breast cancer study used the two most common breast cancer subtypes, using fixed breast cancer lines, MCF7 (luminal A subtype) and MDA-MB231 (triple-negative subtype). All of these cells were treated with molecular iodine at different concentrations to calculate the growth of the cells and their death. This is later followed by gene expression analysis of major valid molecular markers, that are primarily accountable for cell growth and death. Primary human mammary epithelial cells were utilized from a healthy female donor.

What are the results of Iodine effects on breast cancer?

The results from both of these studies indicate that molecular iodine has significant inhibitory effects on cell growth in both breast cancer and FBC. The new research results also showcase a rapid increase in cell death in breast cancer lines utilized in the study and from the cells of fibrocystic breast tissue.

In the FBC study, gene expression analysis using a quantitative RT-PCR established that cell cycle genes controlling the G1-S phase transition were up-regulated ( meaning an increase in the number of cellular components, such as RNA or protein).

There were so noticeable changes in Cyclin B expression levels that, again, indicated that cells were arrested before entry into cell division. The expression of nuclear hormone receptors PPAR-α and PPAR-γ was up-regulated. The BCL-2, inhibitor of cell death was more, while expression of caspase-3 was reduced, therefore indicating molecular iodine do incite cell death by activating caspase – a cysteine protease that plays a vital role in independent apoptosis.

While in the breast cancer cell line study, gene expression analysis using a quantitative RT-PCR also established that cell cycle genes controlling G1-S phase transition were majorly up-regulated. There were no changes noticed in Cyclin B expression levels, which further suggests that cells were arrested before entry into cell division.

Upregulation is seen in BLC-2, PPAR-α, and PPAR-γ with down-regulation of caspase-3 indicating molecular iodine causes cell death by activating the caspase-independent apoptosis pathway. The mesenchymal-epithelial transition or MET occurrence are recognized by molecular iodine treatment as shown by a sharp increase of GATA3 and E-cadherin and major down-regulation of vimentin in invasive MDA-MB231 cells.

The preclinical research allowed the researcher to under the mechanism that controls the tumor cells’ growth and showcases the significant cellular effects of molecular iodine on breast cancer cell lines. The results indicate a promising effect of molecular iodine on regulating breast cancer EMT differentiation program required for tumor initiation and metastasis.

More studies are to determine the possible impact of molecular iodine in the breast cancer subtypes using the in vitro 3D models. In conclusion, the preclinical data results suggest that administration of molecular iodine must improve the traditional therapies for the treatment of breast cancer and FBC.

The Takeaway

Although the use of iodine supplementation has long been used and recognized in clinics across the world, the treatment effects haven’t been successful. It’s mostly because of iodine supplements being either unstable or containing iodine salts, both of which have been said to be ineffective and contain severe harmful side effects.

Only molecular iodine is significantly effective in improving breast health consistently. Using molecular iodine regularly has shown to decrease the sensitivity of breast cells to the proliferative effects of estrogen, resulting in the normalization of breast tissue.

The complication or challenge with molecular iodine is its instability and oxidizing abilities, which prove ineffective to be useful for breast health. At present, we’ve only one formula of I2 that target breast cell is commercially available to all. It is made up of iodide and iodate salts that when exposed to gastric pH react to form molecular iodine.

FAQS on Molecular Iodine and Breast Cancer

Can iodine kill cancer cells?

To a certain extent, it can cause metastasis. Radioactive iodine, however, is an effective cancer treatment type effective for cancer of the thyroid gland. It’s effective as the radioactive iodine from the drink or capsule is soaked into your body and picked up by the thyroid cancer cells, even if it’s spread all across the body. The radiation causes the death of many cancer cells.

Does iodine help with cancer?

Yes! Iodine is required in the body for producing hydrochloric acid (HCL) and reducing HCL acids has been indicated in the development of these cancers. Iodine causes apoptosis (cancer cell death), removal of precancerous and virus-infected cells.

Can too much iodine cause cancer?

Yes, too much iodine can be harmful to the body. Taking high levels of iodine can lead to similar symptoms of iodine deficiency, including goiter (an enlarged thyroid gland). Increased levels of iodine intake can cause thyroid inflammation and thyroid cancer.

What are the symptoms of low iodine levels?

Here are some of the most common symptoms of iodine levels:

• dry skin
• puffy face
• muscle weakness
• increased sensitivity to cold
• constipation
• elevated blood cholesterol levels
• fatigue
• weight gain

Does iodine reduce breast cysts?

After a review of clinical studies, it’s been found that iodine replacement therapy, mostly for people with low levels of iodine, might enhance the tenderness associated with fibrocystic breast tissue. Women who taken iodine have met with very few side effects.

Book an appointment with the Best Cancer Specialist at Oncoplus Hospital.