The Study
Abstract 749: Randomized placebo-controlled phase II clinical trial on oral supplementation of sulforaphane for 12 months that reduced bronchial Ki-67 index in former smokers at high risk for lung cancer
This study gave some people a supplement and others a sugar pill, then checked if their lung cells changed. It found that the supplement group had fewer cells that were growing too fast — but it didn't check if they got cancer or not. So we know it changed a sign, not the disease itself.
Analysis score
Maximum 90 for a randomized controlled trial.
Where the score came from
Scientists gave ex-smokers a broccoli-derived supplement daily for a year to see if it could calm down overactive lung cells that might lead to cancer.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 561 / 100
Quality score
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or control groups, minimizing bias. The gold standard for testing whether an intervention causes an effect.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1Yes — reducing abnormal cell growth in the lungs of heavy ex-smokers may lower cancer risk, even if it doesn't kill cells.
- 2Ki-67 (a cell growth marker) went down 24% in the supplement group and up 79% in the placebo group.
- 3High-growth cells (3+ Ki-67) dropped 46% vs.
- 4rose 99% in placebo.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Cancer Research
Year
2024
Authors
Jian-Min Yuan, T. W. Kensler, S. Dacic, D. Harman, Renwei Wang, Paula A Balogh, Lindsey Seigh, Y. Pham, J. Adams-Haduch, Shivendra V Singh, James G. Herman, Avrum E Spira, David O Wilson
Related Content
Claims (6)
Former smokers who took 120 micromoles of sulforaphane daily for 12 months showed a 46% reduction in high-density Ki-67 staining in bronchial tissue, while those who took a placebo showed a 99% increase.
Taking 120 micromoles of sulforaphane daily for a year does not change levels of Caspase-3 or TUNEL markers in the bronchial tissue of former smokers.
Higher adherence to sulforaphane supplements is linked to a measurable decrease in the Ki-67 marker in bronchial tissue, which indicates reduced cell proliferation.
Taking 120 micromoles of sulforaphane daily for one year reduced the Ki-67 proliferation index by 24% in bronchial tissue of former smokers with a 30 pack-year smoking history.
Taking 120 micromoles of sulforaphane daily for one year did not lead to severe side effects in former heavy smokers.
Cruciferous vegetables contain sulforaphane, and sulforaphane triggers the activation of cellular pathways that defend against oxidative stress.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.