Assessing the potential of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to combat breast cancer metastasis

Considerable prior research has been performed to characterise the largely beneficial effects of antioxidants as cancer preventatives. However, little has been done to explore the potential beneficial effects of antioxidants as a breast cancer treatment (i.e. following diagnosis) and specifically, little has been done to explore the potential inhibition of the spread of breast cancer (metastasis) including the spread of this cancer to bone.

Recent work by others strongly suggest that antioxidants may be very useful in this regard. Dr Waltham will test this possibility in relevant models of the disease. The antioxidant that will be tested is called N-acetylcysteine (NAC). NAC has been used in man to treat other disease states, can be taken in pill form and has an established safety record in man.