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Genistein, a compound found in soybeans, was shown to virtually prevent the spread of prostate cancer in mice. The scientists involved fed the mice a quantity of genistein in their chow that works out to being no higher than what a human would eat as part of a soybean-rich diet.

The NorthwesternUniversity study was published in the March 15 issue of Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

The animal experiment revealed that genistein decreased the spread (metastasis) of prostate cancer to the lungs by 96 percent compared with mice that did not get the compound in their food.

"These impressive results give us hope that genistein might show some effect in preventing the spread of prostate cancer in patients," said the study's senior investigator, Dr. Raymond C. Bergan, MD, director of experimental therapeutics for the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University.

"Diet can affect cancer and it doesn't do it by magic," Dr. Bergan added. "Certain chemicals have beneficial effects and now we have all the preclinical studies we need to suggest genistein might be a very promising chemopreventive drug."

As part of the mouse study, the NU investigators fed genistein to several groups of mice before implanting an aggressive form of prostate cancer in them. The quantity of genistein in the animal’s blood was comparable to human blood concentrations after consumption of soy foods, Dr. Bergan stated.

The study indicated that while genistein didn't reduce the size of tumors that appeared in the prostate, it did halt lung metastasis almost completely. The researchers repeated the experiment and got the same result.

Dr. Bergan added that much is unknown about use of genistein in preventing the spread of cancer. For instance, it may turn out that the impact of genistein on people who have eaten soy all their lives may be more pronounced than that seen in folks who have just started to use genistein.

"The problem we have faced is that epidemiology studies that found men who eat soy are at reduced risk of prostate cancer death are all associative. They don't prove anything," he said. "The only way we will find out how promising genistein is will be from conducting clinical trials."

Observational studies have shown that while the spread of prostate cancer is reduced in men who consume soy-rich foods, the findings have been mixed as to whether the incidence of prostate cancer incidence is substantially different.

Genistein is available as a dietary supplement in the USA.

Readers interested in reading more about cancer prevention and diets for optimal health should check out:

Cancer - Complementary & Alternative Medical Support

Cancer-causing Compound Produced by Cooking Can Be Reduced With A Kitchen Spice

Longevity Living Longer and Healthier

Reference: American Association for Cancer Research (2008, March 17). Soy Compound May Halt Spread Of Prostate Cancer. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 17, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2008/03/080314085038.htm