A new study suggests that a low-cost combination of resveratrol and copper may significantly weaken glioblastoma, one of the deadliest forms of brain cancer, though researchers stress the approach remains experimental.
Scientists at Mumbai’s Advanced Center for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) tested the supplement combination in 20 glioblastoma patients scheduled for brain surgery. The findings were published in BJC Reports in September.
According to the study, patients who received resveratrol and copper tablets for about 12 days before surgery showed striking biological changes in their tumors compared to untreated patients:
Researchers also observed a near-complete removal of harmful DNA fragments, known as cell-free chromatin particles, which are believed to fuel inflammation and tumor aggressiveness.
Resveratrol, a natural compound found in red grapes and berries, behaves differently when paired with copper. The combination produces reactive molecules that help break down inflammatory DNA debris within tumors, the study explained.
Lead researcher Dr. Indraneel Mittra said the results challenge traditional cancer treatment approaches. “This simple, non-toxic nutraceutical may have the potential to heal glioblastoma rather than destroy tissue indiscriminately,” he said.
Researchers cautioned that the study involved a small number of patients, examined only short-term effects, and did not assess long-term survival outcomes. The supplements did not visibly shrink tumors, and their interaction with standard cancer treatments remains unclear.
Dr. Mittra warned against self-medication, saying the findings are preliminary and require larger, long-term clinical trials. Health experts, including the American Cancer Society, also caution that supplements can pose risks for cancer patients if used without medical supervision.
While the findings offer hope for a safer, more affordable cancer therapy, experts stress that resveratrol and copper are not a replacement for proven treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy. Further research will determine whether this promising approach can truly change outcomes for glioblastoma patients.
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