Unifying mechanism and methods to prevent cancer and neurodegenerative diseases

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods for preventing the development of cancer or neurodegenerative diseases by administering N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), melatonin, or a combination thereof. The present invention also relates to methods for diagnosing cancer and/or neurdegenerative disease by detecting or determining the amount of dopamine metabolites, 4-CE, 2-CE, methylation of CE or CE-Q conjugates.

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         2 . A method for preventing or reducing the risk of neurodegenerative disease in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 33 .  
     
     
         3 . A method for preventing or reducing the risk of cancer in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 33 .  
     
     
         4 . A method for preventing or reducing the risk of neurodegenerative disease and cancer in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 33 .  
     
     
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         33 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising 1) NAC or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, 2) melatonin or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, 3) optionally one or more agents that induce quinone reductase, and 4) one or more physiologically acceptable carriers or excipients.  
     
     
         34 . The composition of  claim 33  that comprises lipoic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.  
     
     
         35 . The composition of  claim 33  that comprises resveratrol or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.  
     
     
         36 . The composition of  claim 34  that comprises resveratrol or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.  
     
     
         37 . A method for preventing or reducing the risk of neurodegenerative disease in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 34 .  
     
     
         38 . A method for preventing or reducing the risk of neurodegenerative disease in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 35 .  
     
     
         39 . A method for preventing or reducing the risk of neurodegenerative disease in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 36 .  
     
     
         40 . A method for preventing or reducing the risk of cancer in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 34 .  
     
     
         41 . A method for preventing or reducing the risk of cancer in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 35 .  
     
     
         42 . A method for preventing or reducing the risk of cancer in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 36 .  
     
     
         43 . A method for preventing or reducing the risk of neurodegenerative disease and cancer in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 34 .  
     
     
         44 . A method for preventing or reducing the risk of neurodegenerative disease and cancer in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 35 .  
     
     
         45 . A method for preventing or reducing the risk of neurodegenerative disease and cancer in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal the pharmaceutical composition of  claim 36 .  
     
     
         46 . A method for preventing or reducing the risk of neurodegenerative disease by administering 1) NAC or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, 2) melatonin, 3) lipoic acid, 4) resveratrol together or in any combination thereof.  
     
     
         47 . A method for preventing or reducing the risk of cancer by administering 1) NAC or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, 2) melatonin, 3) lipoic acid, 4) resveratrol together or in any combination thereof.  
     
     
         48 . A method for preventing or reducing the risk of neurodegenerative disease and cancer by administering 1) NAC or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, 2) melatonin, 3) lipoic acid, 4) resveratrol together or in any combination thereof.