Soy Genistein Prevents prostate cancer metastasis

Scientists at Northwestern University (Evanston, Illinois), working under the guidance of Dr. Raymond C. Bergan, have found that the introduction of genistein into mouse feed reduces the likelihood of prostate cancer metastasis to the lungs by 96%.

Previously, the authors demonstrated that the introduction of genistein into the culture of prostate cancer cells suppresses the separation of cells from the primary tumor and their movement. This effect is achieved by blocking the enzymes of p38-MAP kinases, which regulate the activation mechanisms of proteins that ensure the separation of cells from the tumor and their migration.

As part of the latest work, scientists introduced genistein into the diet of mice before implanting aggressive prostate cancer tumors. At the same time, the content of genistein in the blood of animals corresponded to the levels of this compound recorded in humans after eating soy-containing products. At the same time, genistein had no effect on the size of tumors developing in mice, but it almost completely prevented their metastasis to the lungs.

Unexpectedly for the researchers, it turned out that higher levels of expression of genes involved in metastasis were observed in the tumors of mice that consumed genistein, which, at first glance, contradicts the observed effect. The authors explain this phenomenon by the fact that the cells implanted in mice are prone to migration and, in response to the suppressive effect of genistein, they begin to synthesize a large number of proteins involved in metastasis as compensation. However, genistein prevents their activation. According to Bergan, this phenomenon should be taken into account when analyzing the effectiveness of various drugs based on the expression of biomarkers, a change in which may mean something completely different from what it seems at first glance.

The authors warn that very little is known about the effect of genistein on tumor metastasis. For example, it is possible that the severity of the therapeutic effect of genistein depends on whether soy was included in the patient's daily diet or not. The problem is that all epidemiological studies, according to which the use of soy reduces the risk of prostate cancer, are associative, and the only way to find out its effectiveness is to conduct clinical trials.

Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of ScienceDaily

18.03.2008