Genistein in Soy Prevents Prostate Cancer Metastasis

A soybean compound called genistein has been demonstrated to control the spread of prostate cancer in mice.

Investigators from Northwestern University found that genistein decreased metastasis of prostate cancer to the lungs by 96 percent compared with mice that did not eat the compound in their chow – making the study the first to demonstrate genistein can stop prostate cancer metastasis in a living organism.

Does this mean that a soy-rich diet would prevent one from having prostate cancer? Unfortunately, there aren’t sound clinical data proving so.

Human observational studies have found that while the spread of prostate cancer is reduced in men who eat soy-rich foods, findings have been mixed as to whether prostate cancer incidence is markedly different. Results of some laboratory studies of genistein have also been mixed, but most have shown favorable results, Bergan said, demonstrating that genistein can inhibit a variety of cell molecules including tyrosine kinases, which activate proteins by attaching them to phosphate chemicals.

Source: American Association for Cancer Research