Embargoed until 11.00am
Monday 10 May 2004
Vegetables yield anticancer chemical
Plant chemicals created during the preparation of some vegetables could kill colon cancer cells in a similar way to some cancer drugs.
Scientists at the Institute of Food Research (IFR) have found that natural chemicals sabotage the uncontrolled cell division of colon cancer cells. Cancer cells are immortal because they divide indefinitely, unlike healthy cells which commit suicide at the end of their lifecycle as part of a constant process of renewal.
The plant chemical allyl-isothiocyanate (AITC) is created when some brassica vegetables are chopped, chewed, cooked, processed and digested. AITC is a breakdown product of sinigrin, a chemical compound found in brassica vegetables including mustard, cabbage, horseradish, cauliflower, sprouts, swede, kale and wasabi.
“This is not a miracle cancer cure, but it does show that preventive dietary measures can be discovered and exploited in the same way as drugs”, said Professor Ian Johnson, head of the IFR team. “We have known for many years that sinigrin breakdown products kill cancer cells. But by uncovering a previously unknown part of the process working in a similar way to some anticancer drugs, we hope to show how important diet can be in your personal anticancer armoury”.
The IFR research will be published in Carcinogenesis in July, and is announced at the Science Media Centre in London today, alongside a new report by the World Cancer Research Fund to be published in 2006.
Professor Martin Wiseman, Medical and Scientific Adviser to WCRF said: "This is a valuable piece of research that puts in place another piece of the jigsaw on the way in which foods and nutrition could influence cancer risk. These sorts of studies together with other types of study contribute to a greater understanding of the role lifestyle plays in cancer prevention. Our 'portfolio' approach allows us to take all different types of study and turn them into real steps that people can take to reduce their own risk of cancer."
Cell division occurs when a parent cell divides to form two daughter cells during a four-stage process. In the second stage, known as metaphase, pole structures called spindles are created. Anything that disrupts the construction and deconstruction of these spindles halts the process of cell division. Previous studies have shown that damaged cells then commit suicide in a process called apoptosis.
“This is the first time the disruption of metaphase by an isothiocyanate has been explored in detail in relation to colon cancer prevention”, said Professor Johnson. The mechanism is similar to that used by some anticancer drugs. AITC appears to selectively target tumour cells unlike some other chemotherapeutic drugs that also harm healthy cells. However the mechanism needs further investigation.
This research was funded by the IFR’s core strategic grant from the BBSRC. It is part of ongoing work at the IFR to investigate the role of dietary microcomponents as protective factors against cancerous tumours of the colon and other digestive organs.
Notes to Editors
Please contact Zoe Dunford for more information, images and an interview with Professor Ian Johnson or Dr Liz Lund: 07768 164185 / 01603 255111 / zoe.dunford@ifr.ac.uk
Images available
- Sinigrin disrupting the tubules involved in cancer cell division.
- A cancer polyp
- A range of brassica vegetables
The mission of the Institute of Food Research (www.ifr.ac.uk) is to carry out independent basic, and strategic research on food safety, quality, nutrition and health. It is a company limited by guarantee, with charitable status, grant aided by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).
Further background
- This study was conducted by the Gastrointestinal Health and Function research group, led by Professor Johnson. One in every twelve hospital admissions in the UK, and 10% of deaths, are associated with gastrointestinal disease, which makes the digestive tract an obvious strategic target for health research.
- This group is closely linked to the Phytochemicals and Health research group led by Professor Richard Mithen. Professor Mithen’s group aims to provide high-quality independent information about the health benefits of plant-based foods. Plant bioactive molecules currently under investigation include polyphenols, glucosinolates, folates and lipid soluble components such as the carotenoids.
- Of the three main causes of death in modern industrialised countries - cancer, heart disease and stroke, cancer is perhaps the most widely feared and least understood by the general public. One widely held misconception is that cancer "just happens", and that nothing can be done to avoid it.
- Most cancers are not genetically inherited, and it is widely accepted that 30% to 70% are preventable through changes to diet.
- Natural plant chemicals could provide protection and even treatment against cancers of the gastrointestinal tract (colon, stomach, pancreas, oesophagus) and lung. We still say “could” because the ultimate test is to do a human study – the findings so far are based on laboratory research.
- For a copy of IFR’s pamphlet on diet and cancer, produced in collaboration with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer and Cancer Research UK: www.ifr.ac.uk/media/newsreleases/cancerpamphlet.pdf
The information and images contained within these pages are © Institute of Food Research unless otherwise stated. Information may be downloaded for educational and research purposes as long as the source is clearly credited.
