Soy By-Product Holds Cancer Fighting Promise

Newswise — A chemical produced by specially grown soybeans may successfully fight the growth of estrogen-stimulated breast and ovarian cancers, according to research conducted by Tulane cancer researcher Matthew Burow. He tested the compound, known as glyceollin, on mice in which he had implanted estrogen-dependent ovarian and breast cancer tumors. Over time, the compound stopped tumor growth by interfering with the tumors' ability to respond to estrogen. The finding is significant because of the lack of effective therapies currently available to women with advanced breast or ovarian cancer. Dr. Burow is an associate professor of medicine in the Section of Hematology & Medical Oncology at Tulane University School of Medicine>.