only abstract available here. Great review and discussion of the research behind Germanium Sesquioxide and its immune effects in the fight against cancer. Primary effects are via increase in Interferon gamma and increase in NK cell activity; but it also inhibits tumor growth and metastatic potential. The germanium compound is specific to the sesquioxide compound.
IV germanium augments NK activity in mouse blood providing anti-tumor activity. Different activity found with po and intra-peritoneal injection--augmentation of cytotoxic macrophages. Prolongation of life was not found in the IV arm.
Germanium inhibits proliferation, induces apoptosis, and inhibits metastatic potential via inhibition of MMP-9 expression and through suppressed extracellular pathway signaling of the PI3K/Akt and ERK 1/2 pathways.