New Study Reveals Vitamin E Succinate’s Potential in Combating Tumor Growth
Recent research from the University of Chicago Medicine has uncovered a promising role for vitamin E succinate (VES) in controlling tumor growth. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, highlights VES’s ability to promote the degradation of fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO), which has been linked to increased tumor growth and resistance to immunotherapy.
Epigenetics and epitranscriptomics are critical in modifying gene expression without altering gene sequences. One such mechanism involves N6-methyladenosine (m6A), where methyl groups are added to the N6 position of adenosine on RNA. While these methyl groups enhance RNA stability, their removal by enzymes like FTO can promote tumor development.
FTO, the first identified m6A demethylase, has been found to be upregulated in various cancers. A team led by Yu-Ying He, Ph.D., Professor of Medicine in the Section of Dermatology at the University of Chicago, set out to identify candidates capable of degrading FTO.
Dr. He’s team had previously observed elevated FTO levels in melanoma and other cancers, linked to environmental factors such as UV radiation and arsenic exposure. While several small molecule FTO inhibitors have been identified, their clinical usefulness has been limited due to unknown or undesirable toxicity profiles.
In collaboration with Chuan He, Ph.D., John T. Wilson Distinguished Service Professor of Chemistry at the University of Chicago, Yu-Ying He’s team screened multiple compounds and discovered vitamin E succinate as a potential FTO degrader. Unlike some other small inhibitors, VES has a well-characterized safety profile and is widely used as a dietary supplement.
Using molecular docking tools, researchers confirmed that VES binds effectively to FTO, leading to its degradation, while other vitamins or vitamin E derivatives did not show the same effect. The team identified DTX2 as the E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in VES-mediated FTO degradation.
Dr. He explained the mechanism: “Vitamin E succinate consists of two parts: succinate, which binds to FTO, and vitamin E, which binds to DTX2, the E3 ligase. This dual interaction brings DTX2 and FTO together, facilitating FTO degradation, essentially acting like a molecular glue.”
The researchers conducted experiments that demonstrated VES enhances T-cell mediated cytotoxicity through tumor-intrinsic FTO suppression. This finding suggests that VES could be a potential therapeutic strategy for cancers resistant to immunotherapy and characterized by high FTO levels.
The study involved additional authors from the University of Chicago, including Yan-Hong Cui, Jiangbo Wei, Hao Fan, Wenlong Li, Lijie Zhao, Emma Wilkinson, Jack Peterson, Lishi Xie, Zhongyu Zou, Seungwon Yang, Mark Applebaum, Justin Kline, and Jing Chen.
Commentary by SuppBase columnist Alice Winters
The recent study from the University of Chicago Medicine on vitamin E succinate (VES) and its potential role in cancer treatment is a fascinating development in the field of oncology and nutritional science. As a supplement and health product commentator, I find this research particularly intriguing for several reasons.
First, the study’s focus on VES, a form of vitamin E, highlights the often-underestimated potential of common nutrients in addressing complex health issues. Vitamin E is well-known for its antioxidant properties, but this research reveals a novel mechanism by which a specific form of vitamin E could impact cancer growth at the molecular level.
The researchers’ identification of VES as a degrader of the fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) is a significant finding. FTO has been implicated in various cancers, and its role in tumor growth and immunotherapy resistance makes it a prime target for cancer treatment. The fact that VES can promote FTO degradation opens up new possibilities for cancer therapy, especially for tumors that have shown resistance to existing treatments.
What’s particularly noteworthy about this discovery is the safety profile of VES. Unlike many experimental cancer drugs that often come with unknown or severe side effects, VES is already widely used as a dietary supplement. This established safety record could potentially expedite its path to clinical use in cancer treatment, should further studies confirm its efficacy.
The mechanism by which VES works is also fascinating. The researchers describe it as acting like a “molecular glue,” bringing together the FTO protein and the E3 ubiquitin ligase DTX2, which leads to FTO’s degradation. This clever molecular manipulation showcases the intricate ways in which seemingly simple nutrients can interact with our body’s complex cellular machinery.
However, it’s crucial to approach these findings with cautious optimism. While the results are promising, they are still at the research stage. More studies, including clinical trials, will be necessary to fully understand VES’s potential as a cancer treatment in humans. Additionally, it’s important to note that this research does not suggest that taking vitamin E supplements will prevent or cure cancer. The study focused on a specific form of vitamin E (succinate) and its targeted use in cancer cells.
From a market perspective, this research could have significant implications for the supplement industry. If further studies confirm VES’s anticancer properties, we might see increased interest in vitamin E supplements, particularly those containing the succinate form. However, it’s crucial for consumers to understand that dietary supplements are not regulated as strictly as pharmaceuticals, and the formulation and quality can vary widely between products.
In conclusion, this study represents an exciting intersection of nutrition science and cancer research. It underscores the importance of continued investigation into the therapeutic potential of common nutrients and their derivatives. As we await further research, this study serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between diet, nutrition, and health, and the vast potential that remains to be explored in the field of nutraceuticals and functional foods.
