Iodine Supplementation on Breast Cancer

Effect of Dietary Iodine Supplementation on the Proliferation of Breast Cancer

The trial investigates the effect of oral supplement of molecular iodine (I2) alone and in combination with 4 to 6 cycles of FEC/TE (5-fluorouracil, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide/taxotere, epirubicin) treatment in woman diagnosticated with early (stage II) and advance (stage III) breast cancer, respectively. The study analyzes the clinical response [tumor size, thyroid status, side effects (Common Toxicity Criteria V4.0)] and molecular mechanisms in the tumor samples (transcriptomic, proteins and immune responses).

The leading causes of failure of breast cancer treatment are the rapid development of metastases and tumor resistance to antineoplastic drugs. Anthracyclines (doxorubicin (DOX), epirubicin, etc.) are the golden standard in neoadjuvant therapy and are commonly used in the FEC/TE (5-fluorouracil, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide/taxotere, epirubicin) combination therapy during advanced breast cancer. However, even when treated with this potent chemotherapeutic combination, 30% of patients develop chemoresistance and cardiomyopathic side effects. Previous studies support that the oral supplement of molecular iodine (I2) exerts synergistic antineoplastic and cardioprotective impact when used in combination with the DOX in rodent and canine mammary cancer model. The present study performed two randomized clinical groups including women with early (stage II) and advanced (stage III) breast cancer. In the Early group, women were treated with I2 (5 mg/day) or placebo (colored water) for 7 to 35 days. In the Advanced group, patients received treatment (I2 or placebo) along with 4 to 6 cycles of FEC/TE treatment. The study analyzes the clinical response [tumor size, thyroid status, side effects (Common Toxicity Criteria V4.0)] and molecular mechanisms in the tumor samples (transcriptomic, proteins and immune responses).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Histologically confirmed, stage II or III breast cancer
• Scheduled to surgical of the primary tumor (stage II)
• Will receive neoadjuvant FEC/TE chemotherapy (stage III).
• age > 18 and < 81 years
• Non-pregnant
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known sensitivity to iodine or FEC/TE
• Concurrent severe and/or uncontrolled disease
• Myocardial infarction within the last six months before the study
• Unstable or uncontrolled hypertension
• Thyroid dysfunction