I3C turns off cancer growth "switch" in hormone-sensitive cancers "NON-STAGE IV / Add-On treatment

The chemical Indole-3-carbino (I3C) is found in broccoli and other members of the Brassica family, such as brussels sprouts, bok choy, kale, chard and turnips.

Studies support I3C role in slowing cancer growth in hormone-sensitive cancers

I3C in breast cancer

• I3C is converted to DIM and other active by-products by the stomach acids
• I3C interferes with the breast cancer cell's life cycle in what may be a previously unknown signaling pathway in the cell - its unusual mechanism turns off a gene for an enzyme important in the cell's growth cycle.
• An Ohio State animal study revealed an important connection between I3C and the mammalian gene Cdc25A, necessary for cells to divide and proliferate - Cdc25A occurs at abnormally high levels in cancers of the breast, prostate, liver, esophagus, endometrium and colon, and in non-Hodgkin lymphoma; it is also elevated in other diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. The Ohio State researchers discovered that I3C causes the destruction of Cdc25A, resulting in a sudden halt to breast cancer cell growth.
• About half of breast cancer cases have abnormally high levels of Cdc24A, which is associated with a poor prognosis. "I3C can have striking effects on cancer cells", according to Dr. Zou, one of the study's research team, "and a better understanding of this mechanism may lead to the use of this dietary supplement as an effective and safe strategy for treating a variety of cancers and other human diseases associated with the overexpression of Cdc25A."
• When a vegetable compound containing I3C was given orally to lab mice, it dramatically reduced tumor size up to 65 %.   Cancer Prevention Research, online publication Jun 29, 2010
• Unlike Tamoxifen, I3C works independently of the hormone estrogen.   I3C promotes a sharp drop in production of the gene CDK6 (cyclin-dependent kinase 6) which encodes for the CDK6 enzyme.

Nutrition and Cancer 2004;48(1):84-94. I3C could be used as a complimentary treatment with drugs that do interfere with estrogen PubMed.

Other hormone-sensitive cancers have similar contributing factors and are likely to benefit from I3C

Best way to obtain I3C is by eating broccoli sprouts

To obtain I3C, eating broccoli sprouts is even better than eating broccoli as a whole food - since they contain hundreds of times more I3C than broccoli.

Broccoli sprouts can be found at many health food stores, certain grocery stores (E.g. Publix), also some farmer's markets - if not available ready-grown, purchase organic broccoli seeds and sprout your own;

Lightly cooked, they taste similar to steamed spinach.