Cruciferous vegetables, isothiocyanates, and prevention of bladder cancer
Omkara L Veeranki1, Arup Bhattacharya1, Li Tang1
1Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York.
Abstract:
Approximately 80% of human bladder cancers (BC) are non-muscle invasive when first diagnosed and are usually treated by transurethral tumor resection. But 50-80% of patients experience cancer recurrence. Agents for prevention of primary BC have yet to be identified. Existing prophylactics against BC recurrence, e.g., Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), have limited efficacy and utility; they engender significant side effects and require urethral catheterization. Many cruciferous vegetables, rich sources of isothiocyanates (ITCs), are commonly consumed by humans. Many ITCs possess promising chemopreventive activities against BC and its recurrence. Moreover, orally ingested ITCs are selectively delivered to bladder via urinary excretion. This review is focused on urinary delivery of ITCs to the bladder, their cellular uptake, their chemopreventive activities in preclinical and epidemiological studies that are particularly relevant to prevention of BC recurrence and progression, and their chemopreventive mechanisms in BC cells and tissues.
Insights
Isothiocyanates (ITCs) from cruciferous vegetables show promise for preventing bladder cancer (BC) recurrence. These compounds are delivered to the bladder via urine, offering a novel therapeutic strategy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Urology
- Chemoprevention
Background:
- Bladder cancer (BC) often recurs after initial treatment, with limited prophylactic options.
- Current treatments like Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) have efficacy and side effect limitations.
- Cruciferous vegetables contain isothiocyanates (ITCs) with potential chemopreventive properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the urinary delivery, cellular uptake, and chemopreventive activities of ITCs for bladder cancer.
- To explore the mechanisms of ITCs in preventing BC recurrence and progression.
- To assess preclinical and epidemiological evidence for ITC efficacy in bladder cancer.
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical studies on ITCs and bladder cancer.
- Analysis of epidemiological data linking cruciferous vegetable intake to bladder cancer risk.
- Examination of studies on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ITCs in the urinary system.
Main Results:
- ITCs are selectively delivered to the bladder after oral ingestion.
- Preclinical and epidemiological studies suggest ITCs possess significant chemopreventive effects against BC.
- ITCs demonstrate promising mechanisms for preventing BC recurrence and progression.
Conclusions:
- Isothiocyanates represent a promising class of natural compounds for bladder cancer prevention and recurrence management.
- Urinary delivery of ITCs offers a targeted approach to bladder cancer chemoprevention.
- Further research into ITCs could lead to novel strategies for reducing bladder cancer burden.
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