The ingredient of broccoli may be used in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer, as it inhibits the renewal of this cancer’s stem cells, according to American research reported in the Clinical Cancer Research journal.
Cancer stem cells are a small population of cells that are responsible for cancer growth and renewal. It can therefore be said that they play a role analogous to that of stem cells in various tissues. Research shows that they are extremely resistant to the various therapies available and can cause cancer recurrence and metastasis. Scientists believe that finding a way to eliminate them would keep cancer in check.
Researchers from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center tested the effects of sulforaphane in broccoli on breast cancer stem cells. This compound is known for its anti-cancer effects, but so far no one has studied its effect on cancer stem cells.
The experiments were carried out on human breast cancer cells and on mice which had been transplanted with this tumor.
It turned out that in mice, daily injections of sulforaphane eliminated breast cancer stem cells, so that transplanting cells taken from the tumor into consecutive mice no longer led to tumor growth. The compound also caused a significant decrease in the number of stem cells in laboratory cultures.
Biochemical analyzes revealed that sulforaphane acts by inhibiting the self-renewal processes of breast cancer stem cells, which leads to a decline in their number and ultimately to their elimination.
According to the authors of the study, this discovery gives hope that this active ingredient of broccoli can be used in the prevention of breast cancer, and even in therapy – in order to increase its effectiveness.
The development of methods that effectively inhibit cancer stem cells is a prerequisite for improving treatment outcomes, explains the co-author of the work, Max S. Wicha.
The sulforaphane concentrations used in the experiments were higher than those achievable by eating broccoli, and although the extract of this vegetable is available in dietary supplement form, sulforaphane concentrations can vary considerably. Scientists also emphasize that the compound has not been tested on patients and therefore do not encourage to buy and consume preparations with it for the time being. (PAP)