Anthocyanin found primarily in red & black fruits inhibits TN BC

Posted: October 3, 2016

Study:	Cyanidin-3-o-glucoside directly binds to ERα36 and inhibits EGFR-positive triple-negative breast cancer Cite Wang L, Li H, Yang S, Ma W, Liu M, Guo S, et al. Cyanidin-3-o-glucoside directly binds to ERα36 and inhibits EGFR-positive triple-negative breast cancer. Oncotarget. Impact Journals, LLC; 2016; 7:68864-68882 10.18632/oncotarget.12025
Publication:	Oncotarget, September 2016

Anthocyanin inhibits triple negative breast cancer

Anthocyanins are dark red or purple pigments found in a variety of red, blue, purple, and black fruits, vegetables and grains. Common anthocyanins include various delphinidins, cyanidins, malvidins, peonidins, and petunidins. Consumption of anthocyanin-rich berries has been linked to reduced risk of ER- breast cancer.

Now a new study has shown how the anthocyanin cyanidin-3-glucoside interferes with the viability and metastatic potential of triple negative (ER-/PR-/HER2-) breast cancer cells.

Food sources of cyanidin-3-o-glucoside

Common foods with the highest levels of cyanidin-3-o-glucoside include the following:

Note that blackberries have by far the highest level of cyanidin-3-o-glucoside.

Latest research shows how cyanidin-3-o-glucoside inhibits TN

The study referenced at the beginning of this news story was designed to investigate the chemopreventive actions of cyanidin-3-o-glucoside in triple-negative breast cancer. Anthocyanins have in been reported to inhibit the growth and metastasis of breast cancer cells. However, the actions of individual anthocyanins on triple negative breast cancer have yet to be established.

The authors determined that cyanidin-3-o-glucoside preferentially promotes the apoptosis (programmed cell death) of triple negative cells which co-express estrogen receptor alpha 36 (ERα36) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The estrogen 17β-estradiol has been shown to promote the growth and development of some ER- breast cancers. In addition, ERα36 can influence the effects of 17β-estradiol in some triple negative breast cancer cells.

EGFR pathways have been found to mediate the migration and invasion of triple negative breast cancer cells. In the current study, the authors demonstrated that cyanidin-3-o-glucoside binds directly to ERα36, inhibits EGFR signaling, and promotes the degradation of EGFR. In addition, the authors confirmed the treatment efficacy of cyanidin-3-o-glucoside in a xenograft mouse model of triple negative breast cancer.

The authors conclude that cyanidin-3-o-glucoside could be used as a preventive/therapeutic agent in triple negative breast cancer that co-expresses ERα36 and EGFR.

Please see our article on what triple negative patients and survivors should eat for more information.

Selected breast cancer studies

Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside: Physical-Chemistry, Foodomics and Health Effects Cite
Olivas-Aguirre F, Rodrigo-García J, Martínez-Ruiz N, Cárdenas-Robles A, Mendoza-Díaz S, Álvarez-Parrilla E, et al. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside: Physical-Chemistry, Foodomics and Health Effects. Molecules. MDPI AG; 2016; 21:1264 10.3390/molecules21091264
Contribution of Anthocyanin Composition to Total Antioxidant Capacity of Berries Cite
Lee SG, Vance TM, Nam T, Kim D, Koo SI, Chun OK. Contribution of Anthocyanin Composition to Total Antioxidant Capacity of Berries. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition. Springer Science and Business Media LLC; 2015; 70:427-432 10.1007/s11130-015-0514-5
In vitroantioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-proliferative activities of purple potato extracts (Solanum tuberosumcv Vitelotte noire) following simulated gastro-intestinal digestion Cite
Ombra MN, Fratianni F, Granese T, Cardinale F, Cozzolino A, Nazzaro F. In vitroantioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-proliferative activities of purple potato extracts (Solanum tuberosumcv Vitelotte noire) following simulated gastro-intestinal digestion. Natural Product Research. Informa UK Limited; 2014; 29:1087-1091 10.1080/14786419.2014.981183
Polyphenols of selected peach and plum genotypes reduce cell viability and inhibit proliferation of breast cancer cells while not affecting normal cells Cite
Vizzotto M, Porter W, Byrne D, Cisneros-Zevallos L. Polyphenols of selected peach and plum genotypes reduce cell viability and inhibit proliferation of breast cancer cells while not affecting normal cells. Food Chemistry. Elsevier BV; 2014; 164:363-370 10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.05.060
Extracts from Black Carrot Tissue Culture as Potent Anticancer Agents Cite
Sevimli-Gur C, Cetin B, Akay S, Gulce-Iz S, Yesil-Celiktas O. Extracts from Black Carrot Tissue Culture as Potent Anticancer Agents. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition. Springer Science and Business Media LLC; 2013; 68:293-298 10.1007/s11130-013-0371-z
Intake of specific fruits and vegetables in relation to risk of estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer among postmenopausal women Cite
Fung TT, Chiuve SE, Willett WC, Hankinson SE, Hu FB, Holmes MD. Intake of specific fruits and vegetables in relation to risk of estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer among postmenopausal women. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. Springer Science and Business Media LLC; 2013; 138:925-930 10.1007/s10549-013-2484-3
Phenolic profile, antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of black and red currants(Ribes spp.)from organic and conventional cultivation Cite
Aneta W, Jan O, Magdalena M, Joanna W. Phenolic profile, antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of black and red currants(Ribes spp.)from organic and conventional cultivation. International Journal of Food Science & Technology. Wiley; 2012; 48:715-726 10.1111/ijfs.12019
Anticancer Activities of an Anthocyanin-Rich Extract From Black Rice Against Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro and In Vivo Cite
Hui C, Bin Y, Xiaoping Y, Long Y, Chunye C, Mantian M, et al. Anticancer Activities of an Anthocyanin-Rich Extract From Black Rice Against Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro and In Vivo. Nutrition and Cancer. Informa UK Limited; 2010; 62:1128-1136 10.1080/01635581.2010.494821
Identification of Flavonoid and Phenolic Antioxidants in Black Currants, Blueberries, Raspberries, Red Currants, and Cranberries† Cite
Borges G, Degeneve A, Mullen W, Crozier A. Identification of Flavonoid and Phenolic Antioxidants in Black Currants, Blueberries, Raspberries, Red Currants, and Cranberries†. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. American Chemical Society (ACS); 2010; 58:3901-3909 10.1021/jf902263n

Food sources of cyanidin-3-o-glucoside

Latest research shows how cyanidin-3-o-glucoside inhibits TN

Selected breast cancer studies

Related news & articles