Resveratrol Stops Growth Of Breast Cancer Cells

Resveratrol, a health-promoting ingredient found in red grapes and red wine, stops breast cancer cells from growing by blocking the growth effects of estrogen, according to new U.S. and Italian research. The findings suggest for the first time that resveratrol counteracts the progression of a malignancy by inhibiting the proliferation of hormone-resistant breast cancer cells. The discovery is especially important for women with breast cancer whose tumors eventually become resistant to hormonal therapy. The researchers used several breast cancer cell lines expressing the estrogen receptor to test the effects of resveratrol. They treated the different cells with resveratrol, and left some cells untreated, finding a significant reduction in cell growth in cells treated by resveratrol. No changes were seen in untreated cells.