Anti-Cancer Compound Found in Beans, Nuts, Cereals
 (Reuters Health, 9/14/05)

Dr Marco Falasca of University College London (UCL), and team, tested inositol pentakisphosphate (a natural substance found in beans, peas, nuts and cereals) on mice and cancer cells in the lab. The investigators report that the compound killed tumors and made drugs more effective against ovarian and lung cancer cells. The scientists found that the compound inhibits phosphoinositde 3-kinase, an enzyme that promotes tumor growth. These findings suggest that this phosphate inhibitor may help researchers develop new cancer treatments.

(Cancer Research, Sept 2005)