In a new study, researchers confirmed broccoli could suppress cancer growth.
They found that the ingredient found in broccoli could inactivate a gene WWP1, which plays a role in tumor growth.
The gene is known to play a role in a variety of common human cancers.
The research was conducted by a team led by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
It is known that broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables—the family of plants that also includes cauliflower, cabbage, collard greens, Brussels sprouts, and kale are good for our health.
These vegetables have been linked to a decreased risk of cancer for a long time.
In the current study, the team found a new factor that drives a pathway critical to the development of cancer.
Moreover, the factor can be inhibited with a natural compound found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables.
The team did a series of experiments in cancer-prone mice and human cells and revealed that a gene called WWP1, which plays a role in the development of cancer, could inhibit tumor suppression.
They found that in broccoli and its relatives, there is a small molecule called 13C that could beat the cancer-causing effects of WWP1.
But the team warns that to get the potential anti-cancer benefit from the vegetables, people need to eat nearly 6 pounds of Brussels sprouts a day.
That is why they are trying other ways to leverage this new finding.
They plan to further study the function of WWP1 with the ultimate goal of developing more potent WWP1 inhibitors.
The leader] of the study is Pier Paolo Pandolfi, MD, Ph.D., Director of the Cancer Center and Cancer Research Institute.
The study is published in Science.
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