Biochemists have recently discovered why broccoli and other related vegetables seem to have cancer fighting properties. Isothiocyanates (ITCs) are found in these vegetables and it appears to stop the growth of cancer by targeting a particular gene in humans. The tumor suppressor gene is mutated in over half of cancer patients and the ITCs target this mutated version helping the cell to prevent the spread of tumor. This could be used as a potential treatment option for cancer patients that would be better targeted to their specific needs and could potentially help prevent the beginning of cancer in susceptible patients.
See http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110126131906.htm
Posted by Rachel Allen
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That is very interesting! I am curious to see how this information will be used in the future.
ReplyDeleteThis could be a huge breakthrough if a drug could be synthesized that suppresses known cancer causing genes. This means that less people would have to go through chemotherapy and there would probably be a higher survival rate. I hope progress continues to be made on this front.
ReplyDeleteI found this article to be very interesting! I remember in middle school my health teacher telling us to eat brocoli and brouselsprouts because they help fight diseases like cancer. I remember trying brouselsprouts for that reason and it was not an enjoyable experience. I never researched how it is caused so that it very neat by Isothiocyanates which stops the growth of cancer in genes. I think it is also weird that the cancer patients are the ones with not the mutant gene which is opposite of what one might think. I wonder if this same gene is found in mice/mammels. I do agree this would be a great way to help cure cancer and a very easy way to do so.
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