Natural compound found in broccoli reawakens the function of potent tumor suppressor

[Judi Lynn]

Finding offers potential novel approach to cancer treatment and prevention
May 16, 2019
Source:
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Long associated with decreased risk of cancer, broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables -- the family of plants that also includes cauliflower, cabbage, collard greens, Brussels sprouts and kale -- contain a molecule that inactivates a gene known to play a role in a variety of common human cancers. In a new paper published today in Science, researchers, led by Pier Paolo Pandolfi, MD, PhD, Director of the Cancer Center and Cancer Research Institute at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, demonstrate that targeting the gene, known as WWP1, with the ingredient found in broccoli suppressed tumor growth in cancer-prone lab animals.

"We found a new important player that drives a pathway critical to the development of cancer, an enzyme that can be inhibited with a natural compound found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables," said Pandolfi. "This pathway emerges not only as a regulator for tumor growth control, but also as an Achilles' heel we can target with therapeutic options."

A well-known and potent tumor suppressive gene, PTEN is one of the most frequently mutated, deleted, down-regulated or silenced tumor suppressor genes in human cancers. Certain inherited PTEN mutations can cause syndromes characterized by cancer susceptibility and developmental defects. But because complete loss of the gene triggers an irreversible and potent failsafe mechanism that halts proliferation of cancer cells, both copies of the gene (humans have two copies of each gene; one from each parent) are rarely affected. Instead, tumor cells exhibit lower levels of PTEN, raising the question whether restoring PTEN activity to normal levels in the cancer setting can unleash the gene's tumor suppressive activity.

To find out, Pandolfi and colleagues identified the molecules and compounds regulating PTEN function and activation. Carrying out a series of experiments in cancer prone mice and human cells, the team revealed that a gene called WWP1 -- which is also known to play a role in the development of cancer -- produces an enzyme that inhibits PTEN's tumor suppressive activity. How to disable this PTEN kryptonite? By analyzing the enzyme's physical shape, the research team's chemists recognized that a small molecule -- formally named indole-3-carbinol (I3C), an ingredient in broccoli and its relatives -- could be the key to quelling the cancer causing effects of WWP1.

More:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190516142913.htm

[Midnight Writer]

1. My mother told me this 60 years ago. Not in so many words, but...

[Bigredhunk]

2. Tough luck, NEWMAN

[watoos]

3. How soon before Big Pharma

makes an expensive broccoli pill?

[democratisphere]

5. I figure $4,000.00 for a month's supply.

And now available in a gummy fruit flavored version.

[dalton99a]

8. +1

[NNadir]

10. How long before small people think they're going to cure cancer by eating lots of broccoli ?

Anyone who has cancer of course, has the option of forgoing medication and eating broccoli.

This is especially true of all the people who never take medications for anything because medicinal chemists are evil people.

This kind of contempt for science and scientists and their work has become very popular in the age of rising deliberate ignorance, as shown by the rise in the number of cases of a disease that could be eliminated were it not for fear and deliberate ignorance, by a subset of people, measles.

Since people have been eating broccoli for a long time, it's surprising, isn't it, that people still die from cancer? I don't wish to encourage, um, critical thinking, of course. Critical thinking is unpopular and we only like popularity in this world.

My sister-in-law, has happily, gone into remission, from her breast cancer - we consider her cured - through the work of the surgeon Dr. Hiriam Cody - who saved her breast - and because of the oncologists who gave her medications developed by big, bad, evil big pharma companies at a cost of billions of dollars.

I know another person whose husband, a dumb-assed guy who thinks he's going to be a star because he can play songs by a dumb assed rock star, who cursed Dr. Cody out because he couldn't save a breast, and because the dumb assed piano player knew more than the doctor.

His wife is dying.

We all have the option of dying because we're smarter than scientists. Again, it's increasingly popular.

[mitch96]

12. "Anyone has the option of forgoing medication and eating broccoli"

Or just eat a shit load of broc along side medication, surgery and radiation therapy. It can't hurt you like the other three..
For me I'll do any and everything proven to fight cancer. YMMV
m

[Submariner]

4. Now if GHW Bush was not such a weenie about broccoli, he may still be alive

He avoided broccoli and died early. So eat your broccoli kids.

[SnowCritter]

6. I love broccoli

Yeah, I guess I'm weird.

[HuskyOffset]

7. Holy shit, Carlin was right!

George Carlin said this on his "Doin' It Again" comedy video/album back in 1990:

WARNING (LANGUAGE) UNSAFE FOR WORK

[in2herbs]

9. A plant-based cure for cancer?? It will never work. (Big Snark)

[eppur_se_muova]

11. Interestingly, there's more sulphoraphane in broccoli shoots than in mature broccoli.

http://www.urbancultivator.net/herbguide/broccoli-micros/

We used to grow sprouts in repurposed glass jars. Apparently an expensive electrical appliance is now required.

[wishstar]

13. The article says you would have to eat 6 pounds of raw brussell sprouts per day

I do like some tender broccoli often and occasional cole slaw and steamed cabbage but hate kale and brussells sprouts