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A Presurgical-Window Intervention Trial of Isothiocyanate-Rich Broccoli Sprout Extract in Patients with Breast Cancer
Zinian Wang1, Chengjian Tu2, Rachel Pratt1
1Department of Cancer Prevention and Control, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA.
Scope:
Dietary isothiocyanates (ITCs) from cruciferous vegetables have shown potent anti-breast cancer activities in preclinical models, but their anticancer effects in vivo in breast cancer patients remain elusive. A proof-of-principle, presurgical window of opportunity trial is conducted to assess the anticancer effects of dietary ITCs in breast cancer patients.
Methods And Results:
Thirty postmenopausal breast cancer patients are randomly assigned to receive ITC-rich broccoli sprout extract (BSE) (200 µmol ITC per day) or a placebo for 2 weeks. Expression of biomarkers related to ITCs functions are measured in breast cancer tissue specimens at pre- and post-interventions using immunohistochemistry staining. First morning urine samples are collected at both timepoints for proteomic analysis. Overall, the study shows high compliance (100%) and low toxicity (no grade 4 adverse event). Trends of increase in cleaved caspase 3 and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and trends of decrease in Ki-67 and nuclear to cytoplasm ratio of estrogen receptor (ER)-α are observed in the BSE arm only, consistent with the significantly altered signaling pathways identified in urinary proteomic analysis.
Conclusions:
Anticancer activities of ITCs are observed in breast cancer patients, supporting the potential beneficial roles of ITC-containing cruciferous vegetables in breast cancer prognosis.
Insights
Dietary isothiocyanates (ITCs) from broccoli sprouts show anticancer effects in breast cancer patients. This study supports the potential of cruciferous vegetables in improving breast cancer prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nutritional Science
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Dietary isothiocyanates (ITCs) from cruciferous vegetables demonstrate anticancer properties in preclinical research.
- The in vivo efficacy of ITCs in human breast cancer patients remains largely uninvestigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the anticancer effects of dietary ITCs in breast cancer patients through a presurgical window of opportunity trial.
- To assess the impact of isothiocyanates on specific biomarkers and signaling pathways in breast cancer tissue and urine.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving 30 postmenopausal breast cancer patients.
- Intervention with ITC-rich broccoli sprout extract (BSE) or placebo for 2 weeks prior to surgery.
- Analysis of breast cancer tissue biomarkers (cleaved caspase 3, TILs, Ki-67, ER-α) and urinary proteomic profiles.
Main Results:
- High patient compliance (100%) and low toxicity were observed.
- Trends of increased cleaved caspase 3 and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the BSE arm.
- Trends of decreased Ki-67 and nuclear to cytoplasm ratio of estrogen receptor (ER)-α in the BSE arm, supported by urinary proteomic findings.
Conclusions:
- Dietary isothiocyanates exhibit anticancer activities in breast cancer patients.
- Findings support the potential role of ITC-containing cruciferous vegetables in enhancing breast cancer prognosis.
