Angiogenesis is the process whereby new vessels stem from pre-existing ones. It is the fundamental cause for a dormant tumor to become malignant. Studies show that tocotrienols curb angiogenesis by starving the tumor to avoid the formation of new blood vessels. ^[9]

Tocotrienols also possess the ability to induce the selective destruction of cancer cells through programmed cell death (apoptosis) without affecting normal cells. ^[10]

Delta-tocotrienol displays the ability to inhibit the growth of mammary cancer cells. ^{[11, 12]}

Delta-tocotrienol is also undergoing Phase I clinical trials for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. ^[13]

The exact mechanism of the anti-cancer effects of tocotrienols is presently under study. Possible mechanisms include the superior antioxidant property of tocotrienols and their ability to penetrate and accumulate in cancerous cells, thereby preventing cell proliferation.