Soy may help treat canine cancer

Washington, Apr 9 (ANI): A new study from North Carolina State University has revealed that soy may help in treating canine cancers.

The research team led by Dr. Steven Suter, assistant professor of oncology sought to determine whether genistein - a molecule found in soy that has been shown to be toxic to a wide variety of cancer cells in humans - also inhibit the growth of canine lymphoma cells.

The study showed that a commercially available form of genistein called GCP was effective in killing canine lymphoid cells in a laboratory setting.

Moreover, GCP is "bioavailable" in canines - meaning it is absorbed into the bloodstream where it can affect cancer cells in the body.

The researchers hope that their findings will lead to the use of GCP for their canine patients in conjunction with traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy.

"Humans have been using soy in conjunction with traditional chemotherapy for some time as a chemo potentiator," said Suter.

"This means that the GCP makes the chemotherapy work more efficiently and faster, which translates to less stress on the patient and less money spent on chemotherapy.

"Since GCP is a dietary supplement, it is harmless to patients. Plus it's inexpensive and easy to administer in a pill form. There's really no downside here," he added.

The findings were published in Clinical Cancer Research. (ANI)