Mechanistic study of anticancer activities of isoflavone components in breast cancer

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26750059
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Eating habits
• Research Institution: Nakamura Gakuen College
• Principal Investigator: Misaki Ono 中村学園大学, 栄養科学部, 助教 (10441726)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 大豆イソフラボン / 乳癌 / 抗癌機序 / 癌予防機序

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We investigated the anticancer activity of soy isoflavones, genistein (GEN), daidzein, glycitein and equol, a metabolite of daidzein, and their interaction in three human breast cancer cell lines that differ in their receptor status. Synergistic interactions between GEN and equol were strongest than those between GEN and other isoflavone components, with significant synergy observed in MCF-7 cells. At the molecular level, synergistic interaction of GEN and equol combination appears to be brought by apoptosis induction through elevation of Bax/Bcl-xl expression ratio, thus providing mechanistic rationale for isoflavones for the prevention of ER-positive human breast cancer for Asian women who are more capable than Western women of converting daidzein to equol. Genistein-containing diet supplemented with equol could not delay the development of mammary carcinoma, showing any preventive activity. Currently, we are continuing animal experiments with modification of isoflavone doses.

Free Research Field

栄養学