Natural Plant Compound Arrest the Spread of Breast Cancer

A natural plant compound Phenethyl Isothiocyanate (PEITC) can be used to prevent development of breast tumours, a new study claims.

The study published in August 2 the Journal of the National Cancer Institute shows how the  natural plant compound PEITC, hinders the development of mammary tumours in a mouse model with similarities to human breast cancer progression.

Nowadays, edible plants are being used as chemo-preventive agents. When tested PEITC was effective in mice for colon, intestinal and prostate cancer. This was achieved by inducing apoptosis.

The study was conducted by Shivendra V. Singh of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and colleagues to determine the efficacy of PEITC in mammary tumors in mice. During the study, researchers placed the mice on two diets, a control diet and a diet supplemented with PEITC for 2 weeks.  

The researchers carried out histopathological assessments, and measured the occurrence and size of the mammary tumors, along with cell proliferation, apoptosis, and neoangiogenesis, which were determined in tumor sections.

The researchers noticed that administering PEITC for 29 weeks was linked with a 56.3 percent reduction in mammary carcinoma lesions greater than 2mm.

The researchers said, "Although PEITC administration does not confer complete protection against mammary carcinogenesis, mice placed on the PEITC-supplemented diet, compared with mice placed on the control diet, clearly exhibited suppression of carcinoma progression

Vegetable foods with characteristics of PEITC include wasabi, horseradish, mustard, radish, Brussels sprouts, watercress, nasturtiums and capers.

This study was able to identify certain biomarkers that may be useful in future clinical investigations.

They state that discovery of biomarkers linked with exposure and activity is critical for clinical development of cancer chemo-preventive agents.