The Familiar Berry Proved Useful Against an Aggressive Form of Cancer 0 10

Anthocyanins from dark sweet cherries may slow the growth of triple-negative breast cancer and reduce the risk of its spread. This conclusion was reached by scientists from Texas A&M University. The results were published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS).

The study focused on one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer — triple-negative breast cancer. This type of tumor lacks three key targets for standard therapy, making it harder to treat and more likely to metastasize. In experiments on mice, a cherry extract rich in anthocyanins was administered even before tumor formation. This approach significantly slowed tumor growth without signs of toxicity.

The most pronounced effect was observed regarding metastases to the lungs — one of the common pathways for the spread of this type of cancer. In animals receiving anthocyanins, the area of lung metastases was significantly lower than in the control group and in mice receiving only doxorubicin. Additionally, anthocyanins reduced the activity of genes associated with metastasis, therapy resistance, inflammation, and the survival of tumor cells.

When anthocyanins were combined with the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin, the anti-tumor effect manifested earlier than with the use of the drug alone, and the animals better maintained their body weight.

The authors emphasize that this is still a preclinical study, and cherries cannot be considered a substitute for treatment. However, the results indicate that natural compounds may become a promising addition to the therapy of aggressive forms of breast cancer.