Research Finds Broccoli Component Helps Limiting Breast Cancer Stem Cells

by ganesh on May 12th, 2010 6

There’s good news for middle-aged women, majority of whom risk breast cancer. A new study conducted by the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center has revealed that your backyard broccoli is highly capable in limiting the growth of breast cancer stem cells. Stem cells are the cells that help a tumor to grow. Researchers at the center have produced sulforaphane, that, they say, will be able to fight cancer stem cells thereby preventing and treating breast cancer. Sulforaphane is a compound composed from broccoli and broccoli sprouts.

In the study, scientists have tested sulforaphane in mice as well as in cell cultures. In both the cases, they obtained satisfactory results in tackling cancer stem cells. Sulforaphane was strong enough to fight and kill the stem cells. It also prevented growing of new tumors. With the encouraging results at the trial, study-researchers are now planning to experiment the drug in human body.

While commenting on their study-success, Duxin Sun, Ph.D., study author and associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, says “sulforaphane has been studied previously for its effects on cancer, but this study shows that its benefit is in inhibiting the breast cancer stem cells. This new insight suggests the potential of sulforaphane or broccoli extract to prevent or treat cancer by targeting the critical cancer stem cells.”

Breast cancer stem cells

Chemotherapy, that forms the primary basis of treating cancer stem cells, does not cure the disease and this is the reason why cancer reappears and spreads. Sulforaphane has the potential to eliminate cancer by killing the stem cells.

As part of the research, scientists tested sulforaphane on human cell cultures in the laboratory and the result was in line with that was obtained with mice. “This research suggests a potential new treatment that could be combined with other compounds to target breast cancer stem cells. Developing treatments that effectively target the cancer stem cell population is essential for improving outcomes,” says Max S. Wicha, M.D., study author and director of the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The study, published in the Clinical Cancer Research on May 1 issue, however, does not encourage people to add sulforaphane add-on to their diet at the very moment. Safety and efficacy of the drug has yet not been tested on human body. Besides, concentrations of sulforaphane must be much higher than that can be synthesised from normal eating of broccoli or broccoli sprouts for a positive noticeable impact. Side effects of the treatment are also unknown. Patients must hold their patience until the drug is clinically proved healthy for human consumption.

Image source: worldcommunitycookbook nature

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Comments

Charmaine

Broccoli contains high anti-oxidant. I love broccoli and I would rather consume tons of broccoli rather then drugs or supplements.

May 13, 20101:53 pm

alina

I think chemotherapy can cure breast cancer. There are some side effects of chemotherapy also. But thanks you give me such a valuable information related to breast cancer. Thanks!!

July 12, 20108:29 am

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