NC State researchers using soy in canine cancer treatment

Raleigh, N.C.

-- Genistein, a molecule found in soy that has proved toxic to a wide variety of human cancer cells, is now being studied to determine if it could also inhibit the growth of canine lymphoma cells.

Dr. Steven Suter, assistant professor of oncology at North Carolina State University, says his study has shown that a commercially available form of genistein called GCP was effective in killing canine lymphoid cells in a laboratory setting and can be absorbed into a dog's bloodstream easily. GCP can help chemotherapy work more effectively and faster, which translates to less stress to the patient, Suter concludes.

The hope is that veterinarians will put the inexpensive treatment, a dietary supplement that can be administered in pill form, to use as a canine cancer therapy, Suter says.