Cranberries Give Boost to Cancer Drug

and increased toxicity to patients.

The researchers note that compounds isolated from cranberries kill human
ovary, brain, and prostate cells in laboratory studies. This anticancer
activity seems to come from a family of chemicals called proanthocyanidins
(PACs).

These "amazing chemical entities," Singh and Vorsa suggest, are
unique to cranberries and are not found in other fruits.

Exactly how the cranberry compounds work isn't known. But in their lab
studies, Singh and Vorsa tested them against platinum-resistant ovarian cancer
cells.

Singh and Vorsa found that in the presence of cranberry extract -- which
came from a commercially available, 27% juice cranberry drink -- platinum-based
chemotherapy was six times more effective against platinum-resistant ovarian
cancer cells.

They will soon begin animal studies to see whether this happens outside the
laboratory. For the time being, however, they warn patients not to start
drinking significant quantities of cranberry juice without their doctors'
permission. Cranberry juice itself, they note, is not a cure for cancer.

Singh and Vorsa reported the findings in a presentation to the 234th
national meeting of the American Chemical Society.

By Daniel DeNoon
Reviewed by Louise Chang
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