title: Identification in human urine of a natural growth inhibitor for cells derived from solid paediatric tumours.
abstract: Partially purified urine of healthy human subjects contains several fractions able to inhibit the proliferation of cultured human neuroblastoma cells. One of the most active fractions was further analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and shown to contain genistein, a substance formed in the human body from precursors obtained by diet. Synthetic genistein was able to inhibit the proliferation of human neuroblastoma cells with a half-maximal effect at 5-10 mumol l-1 concentrations. Genistein displayed similar potencies in inhibiting the proliferation of cells derived from various other solid pediatric tumours. Our results suggest that genistein is a natural antineoplastic agent present in diet and that it could be useful for the therapy of paediatric tumours.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology and Immunology, Children's University Hospital, Ruprecht-Karls University, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schweigerer
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Christeleit
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fleischmann
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Adlercreutz
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wähälä
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hase
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schwab
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ludwig
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fotsis
mesh_terms: D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D019833:Genistein; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000652:urine*; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000652:urine*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000652:urine*; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D007529:Isoflavones; D019833:Genistein