 |
|
UCL study shows beans beat cancer
September 16, 2005Scientists have discovered a new and potent anti-cancer compound in everyday food. The collaborative study led by UCL (University College London) shows that the compound-inositol pentakisphosphate-found in beans, nuts and cereals inhibits a key enzyme (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) involved in tumour growth. The findings, published in the latest issue of Cancer Research, suggest that a diet enriched in such foods could help prevent cancer, while the inhibitor offers a new tool for anti-cancer therapy.
Phosphoinositide 3-kinase is a key player in the development and progression of human tumours. Scientists have been exploring phosphoinositide 3-kinase as a target for cancer treatment but inhibitors have been difficult to develop because of problems with the chemical stability and toxicity of the inhibiting substances. Now, a team of scientists led by Dr Marco Falasca of the UCL Sackler Institute have discovered that a natural compound, inositol pentakisphosphate, inhibits the activity of the enzyme, suggesting it could be used to develop new treatments for cancer.
In the study, the compound was tested in mouse models and on cancer cells. Not only was it found to inhibit the growth of tumours in mice, but the phosphate also enhanced the effect of cytotoxic drugs in ovarian and lung cancer cells. The findings suggest that inositol pentakisphosphate could be used to sensitize cancer cells to the action of commonly used anti-cancer drugs.
Inositol pentakisphosphate is a non-toxic, water-soluble compound found in most legumes (such as lentils, peas and beans) and in wheat bran and nuts. These properties make the compound a promising therapeutic agent since conventional chemotherapy agents can be toxic to different degrees, whereas in the study, the inositol phosphate agent was found to be non-toxic even at higher concentrations.
Dr Marco Falasca of the UCL Sackler Institute says: "Our study suggests the importance of a diet enriched in food such as beans, nuts and cereals which could help prevent cancer. Our work will now focus on establishing whether the phosphate inhibitor can be developed into an anti-cancer agent for human therapy. We believe that inositol pentakisphosphate is a promising anti-cancer tool and we hope to bring it to clinical testing soon."
University College London
Inositol pentakisphosphate is a non-toxic, water-soluble compound found in most legumes (such as lentils, peas and beans) and in wheat bran and nuts. These properties make the compound a promising therapeutic agent since conventional chemotherapy agents can be toxic to different degrees, whereas in the study, the inositol phosphate agent was found to be non-toxic even at higher concentrations.
Dr Marco Falasca of the UCL Sackler Institute says: "Our study suggests the importance of a diet enriched in food such as beans, nuts and cereals which could help prevent cancer. Our work will now focus on establishing whether the phosphate inhibitor can be developed into an anti-cancer agent for human therapy. We believe that inositol pentakisphosphate is a promising anti-cancer tool and we hope to bring it to clinical testing soon."
University College London
Anti-cancer Current Events and Anti-cancer News RSSCSHL study shows that some malignant tumors can be shut down after all
Oncologists have had their hands tied because more than half of all human cancers have mutations that disable a protein called p53.
New imagining technique could lead to better antibiotics and cancer drugs
A recently devised method of imaging the chemical communication and warfare between microorganisms could lead to new antibiotics, antifungal, antiviral and anti-cancer drugs, said a Texas AgriLife Research scientist.
Taking aim at mysterious DNA structures in the battle against cancer
Designers of anti-cancer drugs are aiming their arrows at mysterious chunks of the genetic material DNA that may play a key role in preventing the growth and spread of cancer cells, according to an article in the current issue of Chemical & Engineering News, ACS' weekly newsmagazine.
A Potential Anti-cancer Agent
Pateamine A (PatA), a natural product first isolated from marine sponges, has attracted considerable attention as a potential anti-cancer agent, and now a new activity has been found for it, which may reveal yet another anti-cancer mechanism.
Duke develops nano-scale drug delivery for chemotherapy
Going smaller could bring better results, especially when it comes to cancer-fighting drugs.
Researchers use drug-radiation combo to eradicate lung cancer
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have eliminated non-small cell lung (NSCL) cancer in mice by using an investigative drug called BEZ235 in combination with low-dose radiation.
Next-generation microcapsules deliver 'chemicals on demand'
Scientists in California are reporting development of a new generation of the microcapsules used in carbon-free copy paper, in which capsules burst and release ink with pressure from a pen.
Sensor biochips could aid in cancer diagnosis and treatment
It is very difficult to predict whether a cancer drug will help an individual patient: only around one third of drugs will work directly in a given patient.
Bioluminescence imaging used for eye cancer detection
At the moment, doctors rely on biopsy analysis to determine the progression of eye cancer. However, researchers now believe that a new technology, bioluminescence imaging (BLI), will allow doctors to detect tumors earlier and quickly choose a method of treatment that doesn't necessarily involve eye surgery.
KEAP1 Keeps major cancer-promoting protein at bay
A tumor-suppressing protein snatches up an important cancer-promoting enzyme and tags it with molecules that condemn it to destruction, a research team led by scientists at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center reports this week in the journal Molecular Cell.
More Anti-cancer Current Events and Anti-cancer News Articles
 |
Anticancer: A New Way of Life by David Servan-Schreiber (Author) The New York Times bestseller takes us on an empowering journey and changes the way we think about fighting cancer David Servan-Schreiber's story of his journey from cancer patient to health combines memoir with a clear scientific explanation of what makes cancer cells thrive and what inhibits them. Anticancer is filled with easy to understand charts and diagrams and a sixteen-page color "Anticancer Action" insert that enables readers to make small but essential changes in lifestyle and diet. Your body knows how to fight cancer, says Servan-Schreiber, and you have to help it with nutrition, physical exercise, stress management, and avoiding environmental toxins. Anticancer enables people living with cancer to adopt a proactive attitude to living, even thriving, with cancer and... |
 |
The Anti-Cancer Cookbook by Dr. Julia Greer (Author) Eat broccoli sprouts to prevent bladder cancer . . . Eat more blueberries to reduce your risk of colon cancer . . . It seems that every day we hear new discoveries about various foods' anti-cancer properties. But the information comes in little bits, from all different directions, and it's hard to know how to put all this information to use in your own diet to reduce your risk of getting cancer. Now, Dr. Julia Greer a physician, cancer researcher, and food enthusiast pulls together everything you need to know about anti-cancer foods into one handy book: The Anti-Cancer Cookbook. She explains what cancer is and how antioxidants work to prevent pre-cancerous mutations in your body's cells, and then describes in detail which foods have been scientifically shown to help prevent... |
 |
An Anti-Cancer Diet: Prevent & reverse cancer. Live longer & look younger. Lower cholesterol & lose weight. by Robert Korczynski (Author) Consistent with the plant-based diet recommended by the American Cancer Society, this book summarizes, in plain English, the latest findings from scientific studies related to genetic triggers, and other complex factors now known to influence health. Delicious and healthy food can be a part of your lifestyle today, if you know how to choose what's good for you. |
 |
Foods to Fight Cancer: Essential foods to help prevent cancer by Richard Beliveau (Author) Detailing the key foods that have been medically shown to be beneficial in both preventing and fighting cancer, this is the must-have resource for anyone looking to get healthy and stay that way. AUTHOR BIO: Richard Béliveau, PhD, a leading authority in cancer research, holds the Chair in the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer at the Université du Quebec à Montréal, where he is a professor of biochemistry. Denis Gingras, PhD, in an oncology researcher at the Centre de cancérologie Charles-Bruneau. |
 |
Dr. Moerman's Anti-Cancer by Ruth Jochems (Author) |
 |
Nature's Ultimate Anti-Cancer Pill: The IP-6 with Inositol Question and Answer Book by Coles Stephen L (Author) |
 |
The Anti-Cancer Food and Supplement Guide: How to Protect Yourself and Enhance Your Health (Healthy Home Library) by Deborah Yost (Author) |
 |
Anti-Cancer Medicinal Herbs by Chang Minyi (Author) The author has spent over 15 years researching anti-cancer herbs, and has gained gratifying achievements. After careful selection, in light of scientific knowledge and practical use, and from his collection of anti-cancer herb data published in China and overseas, Dr. Chang introduces 236 kinds of Chinese medicinal herbs in this book. As a result, the book provides excellent material for medical personnel engaged in teaching, research, prevention and treatment of cancer, for students of TCM, and for patients and their relatives. |
 |
Anti-Cancer Cookbook: Creative Feasts, Simply Delicious! by Ruth Cilento (Author) |
|
DIAITIS: ANTI-CANCER; NUTRIENTS IN CANCER PREVENTION AND CURE by Angelo and Browne, Robert John (Author) |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |