2026-03-15T07:22:59+00:00
A recent medical study suggests that cherries may play a role in slowing the progression of triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease.
Researchers at Texas A&M University focused their investigation on this specific cancer type because it lacks three key receptors targeted by traditional treatments, making it more resistant to therapy and prone to spreading. The study examined the effects of anthocyanins, compounds found in cherries, on this type of cancer.
In experiments conducted on laboratory mice, scientists administered a cherry-derived antioxidant-rich extract (anthocyanin) before tumor development. They observed a significant slowdown in tumor growth without any signs of toxicity from the compound.
Notably, researchers found the compound had the most pronounced effect on cancer metastasis, limiting the spread of the disease to the lungs – a common site for this type of cancer to spread. Mice receiving anthocyanins exhibited a substantially smaller area of metastatic spread in their lungs compared to those that did not receive the compound.
The research as well indicated that anthocyanins reduce the activity of genes responsible for treatment resistance, inflammation, and cancer cell proliferation. When combined with chemotherapy (doxorubicin), the anti-tumor effect was observed earlier than with the drug alone.
Researchers emphasize that these findings are based on a pre-clinical study conducted on animal models and that cherries should not be considered a substitute for established cancer treatments. However, the compounds found in the fruit could offer a promising natural addition to support the treatment of this aggressive form of breast cancer.
