Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026
Extraction and Purification of Polyphenols from Freeze-dried Berry Powder for the Treatment of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells In Vitro
Published on: July 5, 2017
Cancer prevention with freeze-dried berries and berry components
Gary D Stoner1, Li-Shu Wang, Nancy Zikri
1Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Innovation Centre, 2001 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, OH 43240, USA. gary.stoner@osumc.edu
Abstract:
Our laboratory is developing a food-based approach to the prevention of esophageal and colon cancer utilizing freeze-dried berries and berry extracts. Dietary freeze-dried berries were shown to inhibit chemically induced cancer of the rodent esophagus by 30-60% and of the colon by up to 80%. The berries are effective at both the initiation and promotion/progression stages of tumor development. Berries inhibit tumor initiation events by influencing carcinogen metabolism, resulting in reduced levels of carcinogen-induced DNA damage. They inhibit promotion/progression events by reducing the growth rate of pre-malignant cells, promoting apoptosis, reducing parameters of tissue inflammation and inhibiting angiogenesis. On a molecular level, berries modulate the expression of genes involved with proliferation, apoptosis, inflammation and angiogenesis. We have recently initiated clinical trials; results from a toxicity study indicated that freeze-dried black raspberries are well tolerated in humans when administered orally for 7 days at a dose of 45 g per day. Several Phase IIa clinical trials are underway in patients at high risk for esophagus and colon cancer; i.e., Barrett's esophagus, esophageal dysplasia and colonic polyps, to determine if berries will modulate various histological and molecular biomarkers of development of these diseases.
Insights
Freeze-dried berries show promise in preventing esophageal and colon cancer by inhibiting tumor development at multiple stages. Early human trials indicate black raspberries are safe and well-tolerated, with ongoing studies exploring their effects on high-risk patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nutritional Science
- Cancer Prevention
Background:
- Dietary interventions are crucial for cancer prevention.
- Berries possess bioactive compounds with potential anti-cancer properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of freeze-dried berries and extracts in preventing esophageal and colon cancer.
- To evaluate the impact of berries on tumor initiation, promotion, and progression.
Main Methods:
- Rodent models were used to assess cancer inhibition by dietary freeze-dried berries.
- Molecular analyses examined the effects of berries on carcinogen metabolism, cell proliferation, apoptosis, inflammation, and angiogenesis.
- Human clinical trials, including toxicity and Phase IIa studies, were initiated to assess safety and biomarker modulation in high-risk patients.
Main Results:
- Dietary freeze-dried berries inhibited rodent esophageal cancer by 30-60% and colon cancer by up to 80%.
- Berries were effective against both tumor initiation and promotion/progression stages.
- Freeze-dried black raspberries were well-tolerated in humans at 45 g/day for 7 days.
Conclusions:
- Freeze-dried berries represent a viable food-based strategy for esophageal and colon cancer prevention.
- Berries modulate key molecular pathways involved in cancer development, including carcinogen metabolism, cell growth, apoptosis, inflammation, and angiogenesis.
- Ongoing clinical trials will further elucidate the therapeutic potential of berries in high-risk human populations.
Related Concept Videos
02:59Cancer Prevention
Some...
02:59Cancer Prevention
Some...
01:30Cancer Vaccines
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...