Eating greens 'slows breast cancer growth'
Broccoli contains a cancer-fighting molecule
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Thursday, 12, Oct 2006 10:37
Eating green vegetables could help to inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells, new research has found.
As well as restricting growth, the study found that a molecule in vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage could be used in conjunction with drugs to help fight the cancer.
Scientists funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) at the University of Leicester studied the impact of the molecule Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) on four different types of breast cancer cells.
In three of the cells the substance altered the receptors, leading the researchers to claim that it could make the cancer cells more vulnerable to anticancer drugs which also target these receptors, making the drugs more effective.
The researchers believe that I3C could have a similar impact on colon cancer cells.
Lead researcher Professor Margaret Manson said that although further studies are needed, "the potential benefits are clear".
"Dietary agents are kind to normal cells at doses which can slow down or kill cancer cells," she said.
"Combining them with drugs may enhance the drugs' effectiveness and could allow reduced doses to be given to patients. Many chemotherapeutic drugs are toxic substances and the smaller the dose the better for the patient."
Dr Sheila Bingham, director of the MRC centre for nutrition and cancer, added: "This study supports the growing evidence that food can be important in altering our susceptibility to cancer and possibly survival from it, and may help to explain why fruits and vegetables are so important."
Research will now be carried out to identify the doses which would be required in potential breast cancer treatments and to ensure that they are delivered in the right way and reach the right areas.
The findings are published in the journal Carcinogenesis and were discussed yesterday at the National Cancer Research Institute Conference in Birmingham.