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Broccoli Sprout and Sulforaphane Research

Research review

Updated

Cancer related mechanisms

Cancer-related Mechanisms

Cancer related genes and cell proliferation: clues from early research

Mouse tumors showed a lower cell division marker after intraperitoneal sulforaphane injection. An early human trial assessed PSA, tissue markers, survival, and ability to continue intake.

16 mice
Mouse model in the chart below
0.026mg/kg
SFN · intraperitoneal injection
Day 28
Tumor tissue assessment
Concept image of cancer related mechanisms using a book, magnifying glass, and sprouts

Mitotic Index · Mouse Model

Mean tumor tissue mitotic index

Mitotic Index · Mouse Model chart. Exact values and units appear in the data table below.

Lower values indicate less cell division · significant difference observed

SFN 0.026 mg/kg · intraperitoneal injection

Read Pogorzelska · 2024 →
View values and units
Mean tumor tissue mitotic index
GroupValueStandard deviation
Control2.150.13
SFN group1.530.57

Cancer related mechanisms · research results at a glance

7 studies

Early human trials in cancer patients · PSA, tissue markers, and survival

Early human trials in cancer patients · PSA, tissue markers, and survival
Study and participantsIntake and observationFindings and context
Wang · 2022

United States · 30 postmenopausal patients with breast cancer
before surgery · placebo-controlled trial

 Sprout extract ITC 200μmol/day
2 weeks · tumor tissue comparison

Response in breast tissue before surgery

Finding: The cell proliferation marker Ki-67 tended to be lower in the intake group, but within group and between group differences were not significant.

Context: Extract and placebo were compared for two weeks before surgery.

Lozanovski · 2020

Germany · 40 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer
intake 29 / comparison 11
during chemotherapy · pilot trial

 Sprout powder capsules · up to one year
15 capsules daily: sulforaphane 90mg
+ glucoraphanin 180mg

Intake and survival follow up in pancreatic cancer patients

Finding: Observed 180 day mortality was 25% in the intake group and 43% in the comparison group.

Context: The between group difference was not significant (p = 0.291). Changes to assignment, high dropout, digestive discomfort, and nausea were also reported.

Alumkal · 2015

United States · 20 patients with recurrent prostate cancer
early trial without a comparison group

 Sulforaphane 200μmol/day
sprout extract · up to 20 weeks

PSA follow up in recurrent prostate cancer

Finding: A PSA decrease of at least 50% occurred in one of 20 participants, missing the primary goal. The exploratory measure of PSA doubling time lengthened from 6.1 to 9.6 months.

Context: A study comparing intake and study periods without a control group.

Related human studies · tissue responses and metabolite excretion

Related human studies · tissue responses and metabolite excretion
Study and participantsIntake and observationFindings and context
Traka · 2019

United Kingdom · prostate cancer under active surveillance
61 assigned / 49 completed

 Broccoli soup 300mL/week
three GLR-content groups · 12 months

Finding: The high GLR soup group had less change in cancer related gene expression in prostate tissue.

Context: A small trial of gene responses in prostate tissue.

Egner · 2014

China · 291 adults exposed to air pollution
residents of a polluted area

 GLR 600μmol/day
+ SFN 40μmol/day
sprout beverage · 12-week placebo comparison

Finding: Urinary excretion of benzene and acrolein metabolites increased 61% and 23% respectively versus placebo.

Context: A human trial measuring metabolism and excretion of air pollutants; the endpoint was an excretion marker.

Animal research and literature review · mechanistic evidence

Animal research and literature review · mechanistic evidence
Study and participantsIntake and observationFindings and context
Pogorzelska · 2024

Mouse breast cancer model · eight per group
tumor tissue and lung metastases assessed

 Sulforaphane 0.026mg/kg
intraperitoneal injection on days 10, 16, and 23

Finding: The mitotic index of mouse tumors was 2.15 in the comparison group and 1.53 in the treatment group.

Context: An intraperitoneal injection trial. The difference in lung metastasis nodules, 34 versus 23, was not significant.

Ali · 2023

Review of mechanisms in existing studies
Synthesis of existing literature

 Review of cancer-related molecular pathways
gene regulation, apoptosis, and more

Finding: A review of cancer related molecular and gene regulatory pathways involving sulforaphane.

Context: A literature review synthesizing cancer related mechanisms.

Sources

  1. Wang et al. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2022;66:e2101094.DOI 10.1002/mnfr.202101094
  2. Lozanovski et al. Invest New Drugs. 2020;38:776-784.DOI 10.1007/s10637-019-00826-z
  3. Alumkal et al. Invest New Drugs. 2015;33:480-489.DOI 10.1007/s10637-014-0189-z
  4. Traka et al. Am J Clin Nutr. 2019;109:1133-1144.DOI 10.1093/ajcn/nqz012
  5. Egner et al. Cancer Prev Res. 2014;7:813-823.DOI 10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-14-0103
  6. Pogorzelska et al. Sci Rep. 2024;14:16016.DOI 10.1038/s41598-024-65455-w
  7. Ali et al. Front Oncol. 2023;13:1168321.DOI 10.3389/fonc.2023.1168321