Whey protein and breast cancer:
A specially prepared whey protein supplement, Immunocal, has been shown to reduce glutathione (GSH) concentration (which at high levels has been linked to tumour cells) and inhibition of growth in human breast cancer cells. In this 6 month study, 5 patients with metastatic carcinoma of the breast, 1 of the pancreas and 1 of the liver were administered 30 grams of Immunocal daily. In 6 patients GSH levels were high at the start of the study. In 2 patients tumour regression, normalization of hemoglobin and peripheral lymphocyte counts and a sustained drop of lymphocyte GSH levels towards normal were reported. Another 2 patients showed signs of tumour stabilization and increased hemoglobin levels. In 3 patients there was disease progression with a trend toward higher GSH levels. These findings suggest that whey protein may reduce the concentration of GSH in tumour cells. (21)