Compound Found in Broccoli Eliminates Breast Cancer Stem Cells

Sulforaphane, a compound found in abundance in broccoli destroys breast cancer stem cells, the extremely drug-resistant cells that often stimulate regrowth of tumors following chemotherapy.

Sulforaphane is an organosulfur compound that exhibits anticancer, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial properties. It is obtained from cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli. In the plant the enzyme myrosinase transforms glucoraphanin, a glucosinolate, into sulforaphane upon damage to the plant (such as from chewing). Young sprouts of broccoli and cauliflower are particularly rich in glucoraphanin.

Investigators from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, USA) recently evaluated the anticancer potential of sulforaphane on breast cancer cells growing in culture and in a xenograft mouse model. They reported in the April 13, 2010, online edition of the journal Clinical Cancer Research that cultures treated with the compound showed a marked decrease in the cancer stem cell population with little effect on neighboring normal cells. Tumor cells taken from mice that had been treated with sulforaphane were unable to generate new tumors after having been transplanted into naïve animals.

"Sulforaphane has been studied previously for its effects on cancer, but this study shows that its benefit is in inhibiting the breast cancer stem cells. This new insight suggests the potential of sulforaphane or broccoli extract to prevent or treat cancer by targeting the critical cancer stem cells,” said senior author Dr. Duxin Sun, associate professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of Michigan.

The positive findings reported in this study support the use of sulforaphane for the chemoprevention of breast cancer stem cells, and emphasize the need for further clinical evaluation.

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