Mechanistic study for the anti-cancer effects of phytochemicals against breast and colon cancers

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24501020
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Eating habits, studies on eating habits
• Research Institution: Nakamura Gakuen College
• Principal Investigator: NAKANO Shuji 中村学園大学, 栄養科学部, 教授 (40164248)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): TAKESHIMA Mikako 中村学園大学, 栄養科学部, 講師 (00241183) ; ONO Misaki 中村学園大学, 栄養科学部, 助教 (10441726)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 乳癌 / フィトケミカル / 抗癌作用 / 分子機序 / アポトーシス / 増殖抑制 / 一次予防 / シグナル伝達

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We investigated the molecular mechanism of anticancer activities of phytochemicals against different subtypes of human breast cancer cells, and examined whether certain phytochemicals can be used as a preventive measure against breast cancer using rat model of EMS-induced mammary carcinoma. Phytochemicals used were isoflavones, curcumin, lycopene, nobiletin, and resveratrol. Although the molecular mechanism varies depending phytochemicals, they excerted anticancer activity by affecting intracellular signaling proteins associated with proliferation and apoptosis. In animal model, isoflavones and lycopene has been found to inhibit breast cancer development. Phytochemicals would be thus considered not only be effective in the primary prevention of breast cancer, but also be active in inhibiting the growth and progression of breast cancer.

Free Research Field

腫瘍内科学