Simple Nutraceuticals Show Promise in Glioblastoma Treatment

New research led by Professor Indraneel Mittra at the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer in Mumbai, India, presents a groundbreaking approach to treating glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer. The study, published on December 10, 2025, demonstrates that a simple combination of resveratrol and copper can significantly reduce tumor aggressiveness and improve patient outcomes without causing any side effects.

Traditionally, cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation focus on destroying cancer cells. However, this new research raises the provocative idea of healing tumors instead of merely attacking them. The study highlights the potential of utilizing low-cost nutraceuticals to promote healing processes within tumors, challenging long-held medical assumptions.

Understanding Glioblastoma Treatment

Glioblastoma is notorious for its rapid growth and high aggression. Patients typically survive only about 15 months despite undergoing various treatments. In this study, ten patients with glioblastoma were administered a tablet containing resveratrol and copper four times a day for an average of 11.6 days before their scheduled surgery. A control group of ten similar patients did not receive the nutraceuticals.

During surgery, tumor samples from both groups were collected for detailed analysis using advanced techniques. The results revealed significant biological changes in tumors from the patients who took the nutraceuticals. Notably, these patients exhibited no side effects from the treatment.

Mechanism of Action Revealed

The research suggests that the beneficial effects stem from the interaction of resveratrol and copper with cell-free chromatin particles (cfChPs) found in the body. These particles are fragments of DNA released by dying cancer cells, which can exacerbate the condition of surviving cells. Prior findings from Professor Mittra’s team indicated that the combination of resveratrol and copper generates oxygen radicals that deactivate or eliminate cfChPs.

In the analyzed tissues, cfChPs were abundant in untreated tumors but nearly absent in those of patients who received the nutraceuticals. This suggests that the treatment may facilitate the controlled death of cancer cells, preventing harmful particles from inflaming the surrounding tissue.

As Professor Mittra explains, “If you eliminate the cell-free chromatin, which is what the resveratrol-copper tablets do, the cancer is subdued.” He posits that, with prolonged use, this approach could lead to complete healing of glioblastoma, essentially transforming malignant tumors into benign ones.

Potential for Cost-Effective Cancer Therapy

Another significant outcome of the study was the reduction in activity of several immune checkpoints among patients who took the nutraceuticals. Immune checkpoint inhibition has emerged as a breakthrough in cancer therapy but often comes with high costs and side effects. In contrast, the simple combination of resveratrol and copper offers a non-toxic and affordable alternative that may influence similar pathways as expensive cancer drugs.

The implications of this research suggest a potential shift in cancer treatment paradigms. Professor Mittra asserts, “We have been trying to kill cancer cells for 2,500 years… Maybe it is time to look at cancer treatment differently and work towards healing tumors rather than annihilating them.”

While the study involved a limited number of patients, the results are compelling enough to warrant further investigation in larger trials. Professor Mittra is optimistic about the future, believing that this research could pave the way for a transformative approach to cancer therapy.

This study received support from the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, through its grant awarded to the Tata Memorial Centre. As research continues, the potential for nutraceuticals like resveratrol and copper to change the landscape of cancer treatment remains a promising avenue for exploration.