In a new study, researchers discovered some compounds in coffee may help inhibit the growth of prostate cancer.
The research was conducted by Japanese researchers from Kanazawa University.
Previous studies found that coffee contains multiple compounds that have been shown to bring health risks and health benefits.
For example, some studies showed that drinking coffee is linked to lower risks of some cancers, including prostate cancer.
In the current study, the team examined the effects of coffee compounds on prostate cancer growth.
They carried out their research on drug-resistant cancer cells in cell culture and in mice.
They initially tested six compounds naturally found in coffee, but then focused on two compounds: kahweol acetate and cafestol.
Both compounds are hydrocarbons and can be naturally found in Arabica coffee.
They tested how the two compounds could inhibit growth in cells resistant to common anti-cancer drugs such as Cabazitaxel.
They found that both coffee compounds could inhibit the growth of the cancer cells in mice.
Moreover, the combination of the two seemed to have a stronger effect and lead to much slower tumor growth.
The findings suggest that that the use of these coffee compounds is scientifically feasible in prostate cancer treatment, especially on drug-resistant cancer cells.
However, future work needs to find out more about the mechanisms behind these findings and then test the effects on human patients.
The authors also suggest that the existence of the compounds in coffee depends on the coffee-making process.
With espresso, they remain in coffee after brewing. When the coffee is filtered, they are stripped out.
Currently, people should not change their coffee drinking habits because of the findings.
The lead author of the study is Dr. Hiroaki Iwamoto, from Department of Integrative Cancer Therapy and Urology, Kanazawa University.
The study was presented at the European Association of Urology congress in Barcelona. It is also published in The Prostate.
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