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Inherited Breast Cancer and Red Wine
Reported October 13, 2008
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A new study reveals a common thread between
inherited breast cancer and red wine.
Investigators from the National Institutes of Health looked for the method
by which mutations in tumor suppressor genes such as BRCA-1 lead to breast
cancer. They found the normal form of BRCA-1 helps maintain the expression
of a protein called SIRT1. SIRT1 in turn inhibits the expression of Survivin,
an apoptosis inhibitor suspected of maintaining tumors and helping them
grow. However, when BRCA-1 is mutated, SIRT1 levels drop, allowing Survivin
to increase.
The researchers found resveratrol, a key component of red wine and grapes,
strongly inhibits the growth of BRCA-1 mutant tumors in both cultured cells
and animal models. The compound wards off the cancers by enhancing the
activities of SIRT1, thus reducing the expression of the cancer booster,
Survivin.
“Resveratrol may serve as an excellent compound for targeted therapy for
BRCA1 associated breast cancers,” study author Dr. Chu-Xia Deng was quoted
as saying.
SOURCE: Molecular Cell, published online October 9, 2008 |
