Majority of cancers are due to epigenetic influences

Jun 23 2011

Dr. Ajay Goel, Ph.D., Director of Epigenetics and Cancer Prevention at the Gastrointestinal Research Center at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, TX, has announced plans for a series of upcoming studies to continue to unlock the mechanisms by which curcumin prevents cancer via its influence on epigenetic activity. While many people believe there is a strong genetic influence in the development of cancer, Dr. Goel states this is untrue. "Less that 5% of cancers arise from broken or damaged genes. The vast majority (more than 95%) are due to epigenetic influences. 'Epigenetics' is the study of the complex ways in which our genes are influenced by various dietary and environmental factors. Some factors turn genes on, and other factors subdue them or turn them off. This is good news. That means that you can influence 95% of all cancers with environment and lifestyle changes."

In a study published in the journal Gastroenterology, entitled "Novel Evidence for Curcumin-induced DNA Methylation Changes in Colon Cancer Cells," Dr. Goel examined epigenetic expression in colon cancer cells and the influence of curcumin on cancer prevention.

"It was a very technical study," reports Dr. Goel. "But in essence, we looked at a process in the body called methylation and how that process silences certain genes that are designed to suppress tumors. Curcumin was able to 'reawaken' the sleeping genes and reignite the body's own tumor suppression activity. This process keeps the cancerous tumor from growing and spreading, and is vitally important. Though we used colon cancer cells in this study, we suspect that this is one mechanism of action for cancer suppression in many other types of cancer as well. It is exciting new research and holds great promise for human health as the science continues to unfold. That is why our upcoming studies will continue to explore the epigenetic connection."

BCM-95® curcumin was used in this study. "I selected this form of curcumin because of its purity and lack of unfavorable solvents that can interfere with research results. This type of curcumin is of interest in human studies as well, because it has 7 to 10 times the absorption of plain curcumin, which means we can achieve more significant serum curcuminoid levels with fewer capsules for the study participant," states Dr. Goel.