NEW YORK, Nov. 9 (UPI) -- A Columbia University study has reportedly demonstrated Zyflamend, an proprietary herbal extract preparation, suppresses prostate cancer cell growth.
The study also found Zyflamend induces prostate cancer cells to self-destruct via a process called "apoptosis."
Columbia researchers said their study suggests Zyflamend has the ability, in vitro, to reduce prostate cancer cell proliferation by as much as 78 percent and confirms Zyflamend has COX-1 and COX-2 anti-inflammatory effects, although its anti-cancer affects against prostate cancer were independent of COX-2 inhibition. That, said the scientists, supports the postulation that some prostate cancer cells are not affected by COX-2 inflammation.
"These results were particularly surprising and show great promise in the fight against prostate cancer," said researcher Dr. Debra Bemis of the Columbia University Department of Urology. "We hope that the magnitude of benefits shown in this research will be confirmed in the larger scale trial already in progress."
On the strength of the laboratory research, Columbia's department of urology has commenced a Phase 1 human clinical trial testing Zyflamend's ability to prevent prostate cancer in patients with prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia -- a clinical precursor for prostate cancer.
The study is detailed in the journal Nutrition and Cancer.
