| |
 |
|
|
Science Forum Index » Life Extension Forum » diindolylmethane, PPAR, broccoli and cancer
Page 1 of 1
|
| Author |
Message |
| kofi |
 Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2004 11:32 pm |
|
|
|
Guest
|
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/01/040106074742.htm
Source:
Texas A&M University - Agricultural Communications
Date:
2004-01-06
Vegetables That Prevent May Ultimately Cure Some Cancers
COLLEGE STATION - Broccoli, cabbage, turnips and mustard greens. A dose
a day keeps most cancers away.
But for those who develop cancer, the same vegetables may ultimately
produce the cure. Research at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station
has led to a patent for a new use for derivatives of DIM, or
diindolylmethane, a natural compound derived from certain vegetables, to
treat cancer.
"We took advantage of a natural chemical, that research has shown will
prevent cancer, and developed several more analogs," said Dr. Steve
Safe, an Experiment Station chemist who has been studying cancer for
about 10 years.
Safe's patent has been picked up by Plantacor, a new biotech company
headquartered in College Station, and is expected to enter clinical
trials soon in collaboration with M.D. Anderson in Houston.
DIM already is commercially available as a natural supplement for cancer
prevention and for treating estrogen-related health issues.
"DIM is a potent substance," Safe said. "But we made it even more potent
against various tumors."
The first development in this research using chemically altered DIM from
broccoli came when the growth of breast cancer cells was inhibited in
laboratory studies. Subsequent research showed these compounds also
inhibited growth of pancreatic, colon, bladder and ovarian cancer cells
in culture, Safe said. Limited trials on lab mice and rats have produced
the similar results, he noted.
Safe said the research began by considering compounds that protect a
person from developing cancer. Journal articles of other researchers are
stacked on Safe's expansive desk, extolling the scientific evidence that
cruciferous vegetables prevent cancer.
His team wondered whether the similar compounds could be developed for
treatment of cancer. They looked at the mechanism - how the compounds
block cancer cell growth - and found that they target PPAR gamma, a
protein that is highly active in fat cells. However, this same PPAR
gamma is over-expressed in many tumors and tumor cells and is a
potential target for new drugs, he said.
Safe's lab chemically modified "natural" DIM to give a series of
compounds that target the PPAR gamma and stop the growth of cancer.
"One of the best parts is that this treatment appears to have minimal or
no side effects, in the mice trials; it just stops tumor growth," he
said. "The hope now is that the patented chemicals can be developed into
useful drugs for clinical trials and then be used for cancer treatment.
"It looks promising in cancer cells and animals at this time. We need
future studies in humans to see if it is beneficial with people as
well," he added.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
This story has been adapted from a news release issued by Texas A&M
University - Agricultural Communications. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| |
|
Page 1 of 1
All times are GMT - 5 Hours
The time now is Mon Oct 06, 2008 4:54 pm
|
|