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Scientists study plant compound in treatment of breast cancer

Category: Breast

In order to help women who, with the help of a lab test, discover that they have breast cancer, scientists everywhere are trying to find new and more effective drugs to threat the disease. Recently, a team of researchers from the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute evaluated phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a natural compound derived from plants.

For their study, the scientists experimented on laboratory mice that developed tumor cells similar to what is seen in human breast cancer. The animals were divided into two groups: one ate a typical diet, while the other consumed PEITC in addition to the usual food. The researchers collected information regarding the size of tumors, cell death and other factors.

After 29 weeks, the number of tumors that were greater than 2 millimeters in size fell by 56.3 percent among the mice that consumed PEITC. In the past, similar results were seen in mouse models of colon, intestinal and prostate cancer.

Further research may be necessary to support these findings, as PEITC may act differently in human tissue.

In the meantime, a lab test for breast cancer may be beneficial for women, as early detection is key to a good prognosis.