Scientists Discover Molecule in Broccoli That May Be the “Achilles Heel” of Cancer

Pandolfi’s team studied the relationship between the PTEN gene and WWP1. They found that WWP1 produces an enzyme that blocks PTEN’s tumor-suppressing effects.

However, they also discovered indole-3-carbinol (I3C) — a compound found in cruciferous vegetables — which may reactivate PTEN’s cancer-fighting ability.

Practical Considerations

According to study co-author Dr. Yu-Ru Lee, a person would need to eat 2.7 kg of raw broccoli daily to obtain these anticancer benefits. This makes finding a practical delivery method for I3C crucial.

Future Research

“These findings pave the way for a long-sought tumor suppressor reactivation approach for cancer treatment,” said Pandolfi. The team plans to develop a more efficient way to deliver I3C to patients.