Dark Cherry Compounds Slow Aggressive Breast Cancer in Study

Scientists at Texas A&M University just found that eating dark sweet cherries might help fight one of the deadliest forms of breast cancer.

The research team discovered that anthocyanins, the natural compounds that give dark cherries their deep red color, can slow the growth and spread of triple-negative breast cancer. This aggressive cancer type has few treatment options and spreads quickly to vital organs like the lungs and brain.

Dr. Giuliana Noratto, the lead researcher, explained that triple-negative breast cancer is considered the worst subtype because it lacks the molecular targets that doctors typically use for treatment. The cancer cells divide rapidly and often spread before treatment can stop them.

The study tested cherry extract on mice with cancer tumors, dividing them into groups that received cherry compounds before tumors developed, chemotherapy alone, or both treatments combined. Mice receiving cherry extract showed slower tumor growth without the side effects typical of cancer treatment.

Even better, the mice kept gaining weight throughout the study, while those on chemotherapy alone sometimes lost weight. When researchers combined cherry compounds with chemotherapy, tumors slowed earlier and mice stayed healthier.

The compounds didn't just shrink tumors. They also reduced cancer spread to the lungs and lowered the chances of the disease reaching the liver, heart, kidneys and spleen.

Dr. Lauren Stranahan, who examined the tissue samples, found that the treatment changed how quickly cancer cells divided. The cherry compounds turned off genes that help cancer spread and resist treatment, potentially making existing therapies work better.

Why This Inspires

This research transforms a simple fruit into a potential weapon against deadly disease. The findings suggest that natural compounds could one day complement traditional cancer treatments, giving patients more options without harsh side effects.

The team designed their study to focus on metastasis, the spread of cancer that causes most cancer deaths. By preventing spread rather than just shrinking tumors, the treatment could save more lives.

What makes this discovery particularly exciting is its accessibility. Dark sweet cherries are already part of many people's diets, and the compounds could eventually be developed into preventive supplements or combined therapies.

The research opens doors for future studies on how everyday foods might protect against aggressive cancers. For the millions of women facing breast cancer diagnoses each year, this natural approach offers a ray of hope alongside conventional treatments.

Scientists are now working to understand exactly how these cherry compounds interact with cancer cells and whether similar effects occur in human patients.