A Presurgical-Window Intervention Trial of Isothiocyanate-Rich Broccoli Sprout Extract in Patients with Breast Cancer

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#brassica #breast-neoplasms #female #humans #isothiocyanates

A Presurgical-Window Intervention Trial of Isothiocyanate-Rich Broccoli Sprout Extract in Patients with Breast Cancer

Wang et al., 2022 | Mol Nutr Food Res | Rct

Citation

Wang Zinian, Tu Chengjian, ... Tang Li. A Presurgical-Window Intervention Trial of Isothiocyanate-Rich Broccoli Sprout Extract in Patients with Breast Cancer. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2022-Jun;66(12):e2101094. doi:10.1002/mnfr.202101094

Abstract

SCOPE: Dietary isothiocyanates (ITCs) from cruciferous vegetables have shown potent anti-breast cancer activities in preclinical models, but their anticancer effects in vivo in breast cancer patients remain elusive. A proof-of-principle, presurgical window of opportunity trial is conducted to assess the anticancer effects of dietary ITCs in breast cancer patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty postmenopausal breast cancer patients are randomly assigned to receive ITC-rich broccoli sprout extract (BSE) (200 µmol ITC per day) or a placebo for 2 weeks. Expression of biomarkers related to ITCs functions are measured in breast cancer tissue specimens at pre- and post-interventions using immunohistochemistry staining. First morning urine samples are collected at both timepoints for proteomic analysis. Overall, the study shows high compliance (100%) and low toxicity (no grade 4 adverse event). Trends of increase in cleaved caspase 3 and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and trends of decrease in Ki-67 and nuclear to cytoplasm ratio of estrogen receptor (ER)-α are observed in the BSE arm only, consistent with the significantly altered signaling pathways identified in urinary proteomic analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Anticancer activities of ITCs are observed in breast cancer patients, supporting the potential beneficial roles of ITC-containing cruciferous vegetables in breast cancer prognosis.

Key Findings

Thirty postmenopausal breast cancer patients are randomly assigned to receive ITC-rich broccoli sprout extract (BSE) (200 µmol ITC per day) or a placebo for 2 weeks. Expression of biomarkers related to ITCs functions are measured in breast cancer tissue specimens at pre- and post-interventions using immunohistochemistry staining. First morning urine samples are collected at both timepoints for proteomic analysis. Overall, the study shows high compliance (100%) and low toxicity (no grade 4 advers

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Brassica
  • Breast Neoplasms
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Isothiocyanates
  • Plant Extracts
  • Proteomics

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Vertical: sulforaphane

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-10