About Careers MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

Extracts from Broccoli Sprouts may Prevent Head, Neck Cancers

by Bidita Debnath on April 21, 2015 at 1:48 AM
Font : A-A+

Extracts from Broccoli Sprouts may Prevent Head, Neck Cancers

Researchers have found that the sprout extract of broccoli could prevent people from head and neck cancer. The results of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI) study conducted on mice, will be further explored in a human clinical trial, which will recruit participants at high risk for the recurrence of disease later this year.

Lead author Dr. Julie Bauman, co-director of the UPMC Head and Neck Cancer Center of Excellence, said that people who were cured of the disease still faced high risk for a second cancer in their mouth or throat, and, unfortunately, the second cancers were commonly fatal.

Advertisement

They were hence developing a safe, natural molecule found in cruciferous vegetables to protect the oral lining where these cancers form.

Previous studies, including large-scale trials in China, have shown that cruciferous vegetables that have a high concentration of sulforaphane - such as broccoli, cabbage and garden cress - help mitigate the effects of environmental carcinogens.
Advertisement

Dr. Bauman collaborated with Daniel E. Johnson, professor of medicine at Pitt and a senior scientist in the UPCI Head and Neck Cancer Program, to test sulforaphane in the laboratory. For several months, Dr. Johnson and his team gave sulforaphane to mice predisposed to oral cancer and found that it significantly reduced the incidence and number of tumors.

The findings were enough to prompt a clinical trial that will recruit 40 volunteers who have been curatively treated for head and neck cancer. The participants will regularly take capsules containing broccoli seed powder to determine if they can tolerate the regimen and whether it has enough of an impact on their oral lining to prevent cancer. From there, larger clinical trials could be warranted.

Dr. Bauman, also an associate professor in Pitt's School of Medicine, said they called it "green chemoprevention," where simple seed preparations or plant extracts were used to prevent disease. It required less money and fewer resources than a traditional pharmaceutical study, and could be more easily disseminated in developing countries where head and neck cancer was a significant problem.

The results were announced at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting in Philadelphia.

Source: ANI
Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Reading

Latest Cancer News

Combination Therapy may Benefit Leukemia Patients
The new study uncovers the efficacy of fixed-duration combination treatment in patients with high-risk leukemia.
 Myelofibrosis: New Drugs to Revolutionize Treatment
The approvals of pipeline drugs such as momelotinib and Vonjo for myelofibrosis (a rare type of blood cancer) over some time will handle the critical unmet needs.
 Blood Vessels Can Kill Cancer Cells and Stop Breast Cancer Spread
New study highlights the dual role that blood vessels can play in cancer immunotherapy and eliciting anti-tumor immune responses or even preventing breast cancer spread.
 Weed Killer Agent Orange May Increase the Risk of Blood Cancer Among Veterans
New study evaluated the association between exposure to the chemical agent orange and the development of blood cancer with increased bleeding and blood clot formation.
Two Years: Optimal Duration of Immunotherapy in Advanced Lung Cancer
Study suggests two-year immunotherapy treatment for advanced lung cancer may be reasonable
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

Extracts from Broccoli Sprouts may Prevent Head, Neck Cancers Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests