Bean and nut compound blocks tumour growth

Posted on 2005-09-16 11:14:35 in Cancer |
A compound found in everyday foods like beans, nuts and cereals can slow the development of cancerous tumours, UK researchers report today.

In tests on mice, inositol pentakisphosphate inhibited the enzyme phosphoinositide 3-kinase, which plays a key role in stimulating the growth of tumours, reports the team led by Dr Marco Falasca at the University College of London's Sackler Institute.

"We've been working for eight years on this molecule," Dr Falasca told NutraIngredients.com.

While his team has shown anti-cancer activity in cells, the new study published in today's issue of Cancer Research , is the first to demonstrate the same findings in a more complex animal stystem.

"Looking at cells is a very simple process but when you move onto a more complex system like mice, the implications have a much larger value," added Dr Falasca.

He said his team will be looking for funding for a human clinical trial to confirm their results.

While the priority for the researchers is in synthesising the compound and developing it as a drug, their results also offer support for a diet rich in beans, nuts, lentils and peas.

"In foods there is a relatively high amount of this compound so this is more evidence that foods can be chemopreventive," said Dr Falasca.

"But to really prove this we have to test the foods themselves," he added.

Nuts and beans have previously been shown to contain other anti-cancer compounds. For example, nuts are rich in resveratrol that is a powerful inhibitor of cancer cells. There could therefore be a synergy between multiple anti-cancer compounds in such foods.

The UCL team also reported on a synergy between inositol pentakisphosphate and anti-cancer drugs.

The phosphate enhanced the effect of cytotoxic drugs in ovarian and lung cancer cells and could therefore be used to sensitize cancer cells to the commonly used anti-cancer drugs, believe the researchers.

Drug developers have been searching for a compound that blocks phosphoinositide 3-kinase but they have had difficulties finding an inhibitor that is both stable and non-toxic.

The inositol phosphate agent was confirmed to be non-toxic even at higher concentrations.



Read Full Story

Health Headlines

In a lab animal model, booming gut flora spawned by the Western diet is linked to obesity.
International study reaffirms importance of resolving the income gap between the richest and poorest people in developed countries.
Switzerland-based research team assesses the metabolic effects of dark chocolate consumption on energy, gut microbiota, and stress hormones.
UCLA researchers find disability rates in Americans entering their 60s are on the rise, potentially fueled by the overweight/obesity epidemic.
Genetic clues to longevity discovered among a homogenous ethnic population.
Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center (USA) researchers find that a loss of muscle strength raises risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and mild cognitive impairment.
Stroke risk may rise in those with common infectious pathogens such as Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, and herpes simplex viruses.
First study in humans links bisphenol A (BPA) exposure to male sexual function problems.
Simple steps in the community can promote walking among residents.
Study finds that people who are dissatisfied with their workplace bosses not only take more sick leave, but are at increased risk of suffering a heart attack.
Looking for an Anti-aging Doctor?

upcoming Events

U.S. Events
congresses
Las Vegas
fellowships
fellowships
symposium
workshops
  • Advanced Hormone Symposium
    Chicago, IL | Oct. 8-10, 2010

VIDEO: Brain Age Workshop
Dr. Eric Braverman, Director of The Place for Achieving Total Health (PATH Medical), Chairs the Brain Age Workshop taking place Dec. 9, 2009. Held in conjunction with the Winter Session of the 17th Annual World Congress on Anti-Aging Medicine & Regenerative Biomedical Technologies. The Brain Age Workshop features presentations on Brain Mind Assessment via Neuropsychological Analysis, Movement Deficiency Syndrome, Hormones and the Brain, Nootropic Drug Mechanisms, and Traumatic Brain Injury. View this video to learn about Dr. Braverman’s brain-based model of aging and age modulation.

International Events
See all events »