Lactoferrin

Iron chelator with immune/p53 boosts: ↓LIP, ↑NK/p53, ↓NF-κB/VEGF; early clinical immune signals in breast/colorectal/lung/prostate.

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👥⭐⭐⭐ Moderate — Preclinical + early clinical immune/biomarker data; mixed context signals and limited oncology outcome trials.LFBovine lactoferrinHuman lactoferrin

Forms: Bovine whey-derived powder (capsules, 100-500 mg) · Recombinant supplement

Educational only, not medical advice. OncoForge makes no claim that Lactoferrin treats, prevents, or cures any condition, beyond what the linked studies show. Evidence levels vary; effects may not translate to people, and some compounds can cause harm. Always coordinate with your oncology team.

Key Takeaway

Iron-binding glycoprotein that can starve tumors of labile iron, nudge p53-mediated apoptosis, and modestly raise NK-cell activity. Early human data (prevention/QoL, immune markers) exist; oncology outcomes are limited and context-dependent.

Evidence at a glance

Tier 2 · animalBreastColorectalLungProstate

Preclinical mechanistic breadth; small human trials on immune markers/prevention; mixed oncology signals requiring subtype-specific validation.

How it may work

Lactoferrin chelates Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ and downshifts the labile iron pool (LIP), limiting Fenton chemistry and DNA synthesis; modulates p53/p21 and caspase cascades to induce cell-cycle arrest/apoptosis; increases NK cytotoxicity and Th1 signaling; dampens NF-κB–linked inflammation; and shows anti-angiogenic effects via VEGF suppression.

Targets & pathways

Curated mechanistic targets reported for this agent — how it may act on cells, not proof of a clinical effect.

Iron↓Chelation of labile iron pool (LIP) to limit Fenton reactions
NK↑Cytotoxicity and Th1 cytokine enhancement
p53↑Stabilization and downstream apoptosis induction
NF-κB↓Inflammation and survival signaling dampening
Angiogenesis↓VEGF suppression
Apoptosis↑Caspase cascades and cell-cycle arrest

IronNKp53

Often studied / combined with

Combinations reported in the literature, not a protocol or a recommendation.

Cisplatin: Iron starvation sensitizes to platinum DNA damage in lung models.
Curcumin: Cooperative NK/p53 enhancement and NF-κB ↓ in colorectal cancer.
Resveratrol: Additive VEGF suppression and apoptosis in breast cancer.
Quercetin: Synergistic anti-inflammatory and iron-modulating effects in prostate models.

Overlapping mechanisms

Iron chelation: Overlaps with other siderophores (e.g., deferoxamine); avoid poly-chelators without rationale.
Immune (NK): Modest boost may not add to high-potency immunomodulators (e.g., IL-2).

Safety & interactions

Severity and how well-established each signal is are shown separately. Verify everything with your oncologist or pharmacist — absence here does not mean safe.

Risk categories

Gi UpsetHypersensitivityIron Interference

Potential interactions

iron_supplementsSeparateModerateTheoreticalChelation reduces bioavailability; space by 2-3 hours.
antibioticsMonitorLowTheoreticalMay enhance gut absorption of some (e.g., quinolones).
CisplatinSynergizeLowTheoreticalIron depletion amplifies platinum-induced apoptosis.

Timing

Empty-stomach: Optimizes iron chelation; or with meals if GI sensitive.
BID-TID: Divided for steady levels.

References

Research

No published studies for Lactoferrin yet

New studies appear here once they’ve been reviewed. Browse all studies.

Dose: as studied, not a recommendation

These are doses as studied or reported, never a recommendation. The right amount of Lactoferrin depends on you, your other medicines, and your situation; decide it with your oncology team and pharmacist, not from a web page.

Ranges seen in adjunct / practice use: 100–1000 mg/day (po) divided doses; with or without food, Cancer adjunct trials use 200-600 mg/day; start low to assess GI tolerance; apo-form (iron-free) preferred for chelation..

Trials studying Lactoferrin

No actively-recruiting trials matched right now. Recruiting is not the same as proven. Search ClinicalTrials.gov →

Inclusion here is not an endorsement. OncoForge makes no claim beyond what the linked studies show. Discuss anything on this page with your oncology team before acting on it.

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