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Working to reduce cancer risk
We’re dedicated to our mission of preventing cancers before they start, and improving treatment efficacy through novel research strategy and innovative work.
Phytochemicals are naturally occurring plant chemicals, also called phytonutrients. They are found in fruits, vegetables, grains, and some medicinal plants.
The primary activity of phytochemicals is to protect plants against disease (caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi) or damage by insects/parasites. Fortunately, some phytochemicals also have protective effects against cancer.
Dietary isothiocyanates (ITCs) are the breakdown products of glucosinolates, which occur almost exclusively in cruciferous vegetables. ITCs such as sulforaphane (SFN), benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), and phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) are highly effective in preventing or reducing the risk of cancer induced by carcinogens in culture and animal models.
We believe that ITCs are better used as adjunctive treatments in conjunction with known anti-cancer drugs, conferring several advantages including reducing the side effects of cancer drugs; improving the drug efficacy and; overcoming chemoresistance.
The research focus of Bao’s team at UEA is to study :
The mechanisms of isothiocyantes in cancer prevention;
Interactions between isothiocyanates and anti-cancer drugs;
Bioactivity of nanoencapsulated isothiocyantes.
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Group Lead: Professor Yongping Bao
View my research profileYongping Bao is Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry at the University of East Anglia. His research interests center on bio-activities of dietary phytochemicals, with particular emphasis on the mechanisms of glucosinolates-breakdown products in cancer prevention and the interactions of isothiocyanates with nutrients or anti-cancer drugs in cancer management. Before joining the Norwich Medical School in 2005, he was a Senior Research Scientist at the Institute of Food Research (IFR), Norwich. He was awarded a PhD in Biochemistry from University of East Anglia in 1996, after originally graduating from the Harbin Medical University in China with a M.B. in Preventative Medicine (1983) and a M.Med in 1987.
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Potential application of dietary isothiocyanates as ajuvant drugs for cancer therapy
High intake of phytochemicals such as glucosinolates/isothiocyanates can promote optimal health and decrease the risk of cancer. Recent research has discovered more novel mechanisms of action for the effects of isothiocyanates including the modulation of tumor microenvironment, the inhibition of the self-renewal of stem cells, the rearrangement of multiple pathways of energy metabolism, the modulation of microbiota, and protection against Helicobacter pylori. However, the hormetic/biphasic effects of isothiocyanates may make the recommendations complicated. Isothiocyanates possess potent anti-cancer activities based on up-to-date evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies. The nature of hormesis suggests that the benefits or risks of isothiocyanates largely depend on the dose and also the endpoint of interest. The effects of a whole spectrum concentrations of ITCs on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and tumor growth will be evaluated in current ongoing projects.
We belive that isothiocyanates are a promising class of cancer-preventative phytochemicals, but researchers should be aware of the potential adverse and hormetic effects. Our hypothesis is that isothiocyanates are better to be used as ajuvant agents in combination with other anti-cancer drugs.
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Develop a novel nano delivery system for treatment of triple negative breast cancer
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive and difficult-to-treat subtype of breast cancer due to the absence of estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors, which limits the effectiveness of conventional targeted therapies. Emerging nanotechnology approaches have shown potential to improve cancer treatment by enhancing drug delivery to tumor sites and inhibiting tumor growth through targeted interventions. One promising strategy is the use of natural cell membranes, particularly cancer-derived exosome membranes, to protect nanoparticles from immune detection and rapid clearance from the bloodstream. Compared to PEGylated nanomedicine, exosome membrane-coated nanoparticles exhibit superior biocompatibility, extended circulation time, and enhanced targeting capabilities, making them ideal for transporting therapeutic agents directly to tumors.
This project aims to create a novel nanodelivery system for TNBC treatment using exosome membrane-coated PLGA (poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)) nanoparticles loaded with a combination of anticancer drug and ITCs. Exosome membranes will be used to coat the PLGA nanoparticles, leveraging their biocompatibility and natural tumor-targeting properties to increase specificity and reduce immune clearance. By co-delivering anti cancer drug and ITCs, which are natural compounds with anticancer properties, this platform is designed to achieve a synergistic effect that maximises therapeutic impact against TNBC. The integration of these agents aims to enhance anti-tumor efficacy, reduce off-target toxicity, and provide a more targeted, sustained release of the drugs at tumor sites. This innovative approach has the potential to improve TNBC treatment outcomes by overcoming some of the limitations associated with conventional therapies, providing a new pathway for addressing the challenges of this aggressive cancer subtype.
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Selected Publications
Wang Q, Li D, Liu L, Shan Y, and Bao Y. Dietary isothiocyanates and anticancer agents: exploring synergism for improved cancer management. in Frontiers in Nutrition. Volume 11 – 2024; https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1386083
Wang Q, Cheng N, Wang W, and Bao Y. Synergistic Action of Benzyl Isothiocyanate and Sorafenib in a Nanoparticle Delivery System for Enhanced Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Treatment. Cancers 2024, 16(9), 1695; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16091695
Strusi G, Suelzu CM, Horwood N, Münsterberg AE, Bao Y. Phenethyl isothiocyanate and dasatinib combination synergistically reduces hepatocellular carcinoma growth via cell cycle arrest and oxeiptosi. In: Frontiers in Pharmacology- Pharmacology of Anti-Cancer Drugs. Volume 14 - 2023 |
Strusi G, Suelzu CM, Weldon S, Giffin G, Münsterberg AE, Bao Y. Combination of Phenethyl Isothiocyanate and Dasatinib Inhibits Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metastatic Potential through FAK/STAT3/Cadherin Signalling and Reduction of VEGF Secretion, Pharmaceutics 2023, 15(10), 2390;
Xu Y, Han X, Li Y, Min H, Zhao X, Zhang Y, Qi Y, Shi J, Qi S, Bao Y, Nie G. Sulforaphane Mediates Glutathione Depletion via Polymeric Nanoparticles to Restore Cisplatin Chemosensitivity. ACS Nano. 2019 Nov 4.
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