Disclaimer: This post is for information purposes and to raise awareness of areas of research in triple negative breast cancer. In this breast cancer study, copper levels were reduced to very specific target levels using the copper chelating agent tetrathiomolybdate (TM) – developed to treat Wilson’s Disease.
Copper in Foods: An essential trace element
Copper is an essential trace element that is required in tiny amounts to enable our bodies to function healthy. We obtain copper from the foods we eat and drink.
Copper is also an essential component of many enzymes needed for normal biochemical functions. Copper deficiency can lead to serious health conditions such as a reduction in the number of red blood cells (a type of anaemia) and neutropenia.
What is Wilson’s Disease?
Normal levels of copper in the body are usually maintained via excretion of copper from the liver cells into bile. This prevents copper from building up to dangerously high levels in the body which can be life-threatening.
Wilson’s disease is an inherited genetic condition whereby biliary excretion of copper from the body is impaired. This means that copper can build up to toxic levels in organs such as the liver, brain and kidneys, and can lead to copper accumulation in the eyes.
Copper content of food and drink
We obtain copper from the foods we eat and drink. Here are some examples of foods are naturally high in copper: Note – this information is provided solely to understand the context of copper in the diet in relation to Wilson’s Disease.
- Organ meats (liver, heart and kidney)
- Shellfish
- Nuts
- Dried Fruit
- Cocoa
- Chocolate
- Mushrooms
- Whole grains
- Drinking water (copper pipes)
♦ Key Point:
It is important to recognise that significant amounts of copper can still be absorbed by the body even when dietary intakes of copper are very low. This is because we are extremely efficient at absorbing copper from the gastrointestinal tract when dietary intakes of copper are reduced.
This is why the treatment of Wilson’s Disease (see below) involves the use of copper chelating agents that can bind to copper, enabling any excess copper to be removed from the body. This is also why the copper chelating agent tetrathiomolybdate (TM) was used to lower copper levels to a very specific target level as part of breast cancer research.
What is the treatment for Wilson’s Disease?
Wilson’s disease is usually treated with copper chelating agents and zinc. Copper chelating agents bind to excess copper, thereby enabling copper excretion from the body. Zinc is also known to reduce the absorption of copper from food and drink.
Tetrathiomolybdate (TM) is an example of a drug being developed to reduce copper levels in the body for the treatment of Wilson’s disease.
As well as copper chelating agents / zinc, those diagnosed with Wilson’s disease may need to follow a diet that is lower in copper for a period of time. This is always under the direction and guidance of a doctor, physician or registered health professional to ensure that the diet is adequately balanced and to prevent any nutritional deficiencies or adverse outcomes.
♦ Copper & Breast Cancer Research
We know that residual cancer cells have the unique ability to lay dormant for years, until specific signalling factors cause these cancer cells to ‘wake up’ and begin a new cycle of growth, which can lead to relapse and the cancer returning.
It is well established that solid tumours need to develop a blood supply in order to grow and metastisize. Copper helps to promote the development of these blood vessels – part of a cascade of events that can enable dormant cancer cells to wake up and begin a new cycle of growth.
In 2007 a study was developed to investigate the effects of lowering copper levels in 75 patients who were at high risk of relapse, including patients with triple negative breast cancer. The copper chelating agent tetrathiomolybdate (TM) – a drug being developed for the treatment of Wilson’s disease – was used to lower copper levels in these patients.
The results reported by the study group were astounding. A follow-up study conducted 5 years later reported that 62 out of 75 patients at high risk of relapse had remained in remission.
Important Disclaimer:
This post is for information purposes only. It is not intended to form dietary advice, recommendations or suggestions. Unnecessary avoidance of foods can lead to anxiety around foods and unwanted nutritional deficiencies that can adversely affect health and well-being. The key point is that copper levels were reduced to very specific target levels using the copper chelating agent tetrathiomolybdate (TM) – developed to treat Wilson’s Disease. The list of foods high in copper solely relate to information on Wilson’s disease.
References and Reading:
- Chan N, Willis A, et al. Influencing the Tumor Microenvironment: A Phase II Study of Copper Depletion Using Tetrathiomolybdate In Patients with Breast Cancer at High Risk for Recurrance and in Preclinical Models of Lung Metastases. Clin Cancer Res. 2017. Feb 1;23(3): 666-676.
- Jain S, Cohen J, et al. Tetrathiomolybdate-associated copper depletion decreases circulating endothelial progenitor cells in women with breast cancer at high risk of relapse. Ann Oncol. 2013. Jun:24(6) 1491-1498.
- Karginova O, Weekley C, et al. Inhibition of Copper Transport Induces Apoptosis in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells and Suppresses Tumor Angiogenesis. Mol Can Ther. 2019. 873-885.
♦ Suggested Reading and Related Posts on TNBC:
http://www.demeraradelight.com/category/breast-cancer/
http://www.demeraradelight.com/methionine-and-triple-negative-breast-cancer/
http://www.demeraradelight.com/luteolin-and-triple-negative-breast-cancer/
http://www.demeraradelight.com/blueberries-triple-negative-breast-cancer/