A Novel Nutrient Mixture Induces Apoptosis in Human Mesothelioma Cells (MSTO-211H) via Activation of Caspases

Background: Malignant mesothelioma is a highly aggressive and fatal cancer of older people. Consistently associated with asbestos exposure, mesothelioma is diagnosed when it is extensively metastasized and it has a dismal prognosis. Purpose of the study: Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are the mainstay of treatment yet they are ineffective in increasing the mesothelioma patient survival. Therefore, a different approach is needed. A novel nutrient mixture containing green tea extract, ascorbic acid, lysine, and proline exhibited anti-cancer effects in various cancers. In our previous studies, the nutrient mixture was seen to block MMP secretion and invasion through MatrigelTM by mesothelioma cells. In the current study, we wanted to explore if the nutrient mixture could induce apoptosis in mesothelioma cells.