Cranberries Show Potential Against Esophageal Cancer

Cranberries and cranberry juice have been used as a traditional folk remedy for urinary tract infections (UTIs) for decades, perhaps centuries. Cranberries have made a lot of news in the last year, largely due to some unusual findings. In the last year we have reported on a study that described the mechanism by which cranberries fight UTIs, a study that found ulcer-fighting potential, and a study that found virus-fighting potential. The latest study has found that cranberries may have potential in the treatment of a particular type of esophageal cancer, esophageal adenocarcinoma. Esophageal adenocarcinoma is a type of esophageal cancer associated with Bartlett's Esophagus, esophageal damage caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The research was conducted by researchers from Ohio State University and the Blueberry and Cranberry Research Center at Rutgers University and published in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in February. The researchers report that the "anticancer activity" of whole cranberry extracts and specific cranberry fractions has been noted in previous studies but this is the first time cranberry extract has been "evaluated against esophageal cancer utilizing in vivo models or in vitro systems."

The researchers used two different adenocarcinoma cancer cells lines, SEG-1, a line that is responsive to acid and BIC-1 a line that is non-acid-responsive to acid. The cells were incubated in varying concentrations, 12.5 to 400 micrograms per milliliter (mg/ml), of a proanthocyanidins-rich cranberry extract. The control was incubated in a cranberry extract-free environment. The researchers reported dose- & time- dependent effects on the viability and proliferation of the cancer cells. The researchers also reported that apoptosis (cell death) was 43.6% greater in the cancer cells that were treated at a concentration of 50mg/ml. The researchers concluded that their results "show that a cranberry proanthocyanidin-rich extract has potent effects on cell cycle regulation, cell viability, cell proliferation, and apoptosis of esophageal adenocarcinoma cells."

As interesting as these findings are, many more in-depth studies will have to be conducted before cranberry extract will be used or recommended in the treatment of any type of cancer. It does however, add to the ever-growing body of research that has been developing around these delicious little berries. Learn more about cranberries and their potential benefits here.

1. Kresty, L. A., A. B. Howell, et al. (2008). "Cranberry proanthocyanidins induce apoptosis and inhibit acid-induced proliferation of human esophageal adenocarcinoma cells." J Agric Food Chem 56(3): 676-80.