Scientists discover anti-cancer compound

Scientists in New Zealand said Friday that they have discovered compounds in certain vegetables that could kill cancer cells that are resistant to other treatments.

According to a study by researchers at Christchurch School of Medicine, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbage, watercress, bok choy, radishes, turnips, and kale contain certain anti-cancer compounds.

Team leader Mark Hampton said a protein called Bcl-2 makes human cells resistant to the normal cell-suicide process, which removes damaged cells from the body.

He said cancer cells with a lot of Bcl-2 also have increased resistance to chemotherapy drugs, but added that compounds called isothiocyanates found in the cruciferous family make the cells more susceptible to treatment.

The research team said the next step is to find out how the compounds work inside the cell to negate the power of the protein.

Hampton said they could use that information to design new drugs against cancer.