Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago have developed a new compound based on a known anticancer agent found in broccoli, and say that it shows promise as a breast cancer preventive.
Reporting their findings at the 224th national meeting of the American Chemical Society, the scientists said that the synthetic compound oxomate could be marketed for cancer prevention if the results of tests on animals are replicated when the product is tested on humans.
Furthermore, the compound could be developed into a once-a-day pill within seven to ten years.
Investigator Jerry Kosmeder PhD, a research assistant professor at the university, commented: “It may be easier to take a cancer-prevention pill once a day rather than rely on massive quantities of fruits and vegetables.”
Oxomate is based on a natural counterpart sulforaphane, which was recently identified as a cancer-preventive agent in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables (such as cabbage and Brussels sprouts) but which can be toxic in high doses, said Kosmeder. Oxomate was thus designed to be less toxic than its parent compound.
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By GlobalDataBoth compounds boost the body’s production of phase II enzymes, which can detoxify cancer-causing chemicals and reduce cancer risk.
The scientific team was headed by John M. Pezzuto PhD, head of the department of medicinal chemistry and pharmacognosy at the university and deputy director of its Cancer Centre.
