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Tumor cell galactins blocked by citrus pectins.

Curator: Meg Baker, PhD, Reg Patent Agent

Posted 13 Mar 2012 in Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP)

Inhibition of Cancer Cell Growth and Metastases

By Jim English and Ward Dean, MD

Modified citrus pectin (MCP) is a unique dietary fiber that is produced by processing natural citrus pectin by altering its pH and splitting the carbohydrate chains to form a low molecular-weight, water-soluble fiber that is rich in galactose. Galectins (GAL, LGALS) are a family of lectins that contain conserved carbohydrate-recognition domains (CRDs) of about 130 amino acids with specificity for β-galactosides found on both N- and O-linked glycans. Cancer cells are prone to express various of the 15 identified galactose binding lectins, transport them to the plasma membrane and release soluble forms in the extracellular space, allowing diverse interactions involved in cell migration, adhesion and angiogenesis. Specific galactions have unique functions: GAL3 plays a role in regulating transcription factors including miRNA (Ramasamy, S. Mol Cell 27 (6) 992-1004, 21 Sept 2007 , http://www.cell.com/molecular-cell/retrieve/pii/S1097276507005631). Gal-9 interaction with TIM-3 was recently demonstrated to have a role in suppression of immune response http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20574007 . English and Dean review data showing that MCP derived from the pulp and peel of citrus fruits can attach to cancer cells, and oral dosing with MCP prevented metastatic spread of injected prostate cancer cells in animals. These data provide evidence that daily ingestion of plant pectins may be beneficial in preventing or suppressing metastatic cancer.