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Low plasma coenzyme Q10 levels as an independent prognostic factor
for melanoma progression
BACKGROUND: Abnormally low plasma levels of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) have
been found in patients with cancer of the breast, lung, or pancreas.
OBJECTIVE: A prospective study of patients with melanoma was conducted
to assess the usefulness of CoQ10 plasma levels in predicting the
risk of metastasis and the duration of the metastasis-free interval.
METHODS: Between January 1997 and August 2004, plasma CoQ10 levels
were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography in 117 consecutive
melanoma patients without clinical or instrumental evidence of metastasis
according to American Joint Committee on Cancer criteria and in 125
matched volunteers without clinically suspect pigmented lesions. Patients
taking CoQ10 or cholesterol-lowering medications and those with a
diagnosis of diabetes mellitus were excluded from the study. Multiple
statistical methods were used to evaluate differences between patients
and control subjects and between patients who did (32.5%) and did
not (67.5%) develop metastases during follow-up. RESULTS: CoQ10 levels
were significantly lower in patients than in control subjects (t test:
P < .0001) and in patients who developed metastases than in the metastasis-free
subgroup (t test: P < .0001). Logistic regression analysis indicated
that plasma CoQ10 levels were a significant predictor of metastasis
(P = .0013). The odds ratio for metastatic disease in patients with
CoQ10 levels that were less than 0.6 mg/L (the low-end value of the
range measured in a normal population) was 7.9, and the metastasis-free
interval was almost double in patients with CoQ10 levels 0.6 mg/L
or higher (Kaplan-Meier analysis: P < .001). LIMITATIONS: A study
with a larger sample, which is currently being recruited, and a longer
follow-up will doubtlessly increase the statistical power and enable
survival statistics to be obtained. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of our findings
suggests that baseline plasma CoQ10 levels are a powerful and independent
prognostic factor that can be used to estimate the risk for melanoma
progression. Rusciani L, Proietti I, Rusciani A, et al. J Am Acad
Dermatol. 2006 Feb;54(2):234-41.
For educational purposes only. Consult your physician for any health problems.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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