Related Experiment Videos
Eating to beat breast cancer: potential role for soy supplements
1Oncology Department, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.
Background:
The study reviews the anticancer properties of natural isoflavones which occur in especially high concentration in soybeans. It considers the suitability of soybean products for clinical trials aiming to reduce the progression of breast cancer.
Methods:
Evidence is reviewed that plant isoflavones such as genistein show cytostatic activity against human mammary cancer cell lines in vitro and can also suppress carcinogen-induced mammary cancer in young and mature rats.
Results:
Plant isoflavones are converted in the bowel to compounds with potential antioestrogenic and antioxidative properties. These compounds show cytostatic activity for both oestrogen receptor-positive and negative human mammary cancer cell lines, and also inhibit growth and progress of the rat mammary cancer model. The high content of soybean products in the diet of Asian women has been postulated as one reason for their relatively low breast cancer incidence.
Conclusion:
Preclinical studies suggest that soybean products be given priority for clinical trials in breast cancer protection. A pilot study could test soy protein supplements as long-term adjuvant dietary treatment after primary surgery for early breast cancer, looking for a decrease in the risk of recurrence or of second primary tumours.
Insights
Soybean isoflavones exhibit anticancer properties, showing potential in reducing breast cancer progression. Further clinical trials with soy protein supplements are recommended for early breast cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Soybeans are a rich source of natural isoflavones.
- Isoflavones are being investigated for their anticancer properties.
- Soybean products' potential in breast cancer clinical trials is reviewed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the anticancer properties of natural isoflavones from soybeans.
- To assess the suitability of soybean products for breast cancer clinical trials.
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical evidence on isoflavone activity.
- Examination of in vitro studies on human mammary cancer cell lines.
- Analysis of in vivo studies in rat mammary cancer models.
Main Results:
- Isoflavones, like genistein, demonstrate cytostatic activity against human breast cancer cells.
- Isoflavones exhibit antioestrogenic and antioxidative properties after conversion in the bowel.
- Soybean consumption is linked to lower breast cancer incidence in Asian populations.
Conclusions:
- Preclinical data support prioritizing soybean products for breast cancer prevention trials.
- A pilot study on soy protein supplements as adjuvant therapy for early breast cancer is proposed.
- The study suggests evaluating soy protein's impact on recurrence and second primary tumor risk.