title: Experimental evidence for cancer preventive elements in foods.
abstract: The last decade has witnessed an incredible advance in our understanding of how fruits and vegetables work to prevent cancer. Epidemiological studies have suggested that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is associated with reduced risk for a number of common cancers. Food chemists and natural product scientists have identified hundreds of 'phytochemicals' that are being evaluated for the prevention of cancer. Food components can modify carcinogenesis in one of five different ways. They may: (1) modify carcinogen activation by inhibiting Phase 1 enzymes; (2) modify how carcinogens are detoxified through Phase 2 pathways; (3) scavenge DNA reactive agents; (4) suppress the abnormal proliferation of early, preneoplastic lesions; and (5) inhibit certain properties of the cancer cell.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology and Digestive Diseases, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wargovich
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology; D065691:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 Inhibitors; D018736:DNA Adducts / Q000378:metabolism; D004032:Diet; D004610:Ellagic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D005638:Fruit; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D013662:Tea; D013729:Terpenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D014675:Vegetables; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000494:pharmacology; D018631:ras Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D065691:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 Inhibitors; D018736:DNA Adducts; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013662:Tea; D013729:Terpenes; D014807:Vitamin D; D004610:Ellagic Acid; D002338:Carotenoids; D018631:ras Proteins; D003474:Curcumin; D002118:Calcium