THE SAFE CONSUMPTION OF SOY ISOFLAVONES AS HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY

Fresh Evidence presented at the Chicago Symposium

October 30, 2005 – Chicago. New results, based on studies of an experimental model designed to investigate consumption of soy-derived products as a natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy in post-menopausal breast cancer women, were presented today at the 6th International Symposium on the Role of Soy in Preventing and Treating Chronic Disease.

Fruit of the now consolidated collaboration between Indena researchers and scientists from the Policlinico Gemelli Hospital in Rome, these results provide evidence that consumption of Soyselect^® (a standardized soy extract containing isoflavones and saponins), does not stimulate the growth of breast cancer tumors in the experimental model used (xenograft MCF-7).

Daniela Gallo, a scientist with the Gynaecology Oncology Department in the world-famous Roman hospital, explained that “Soy-derived products may induce a moderate estrogenic effect on estrogen dependent cells, without increasing cellular proliferation and tumor growth”.
The study also highlighted a decrease in the expression of other genes involved in tumor progression and angiogenesis, such as Thrombospondin 1 and Transforming Growth Factor β2.

Though positive these experimental results have yet to be confirmed by a full clinical analysis.

The role of Soyselect^® to alleviate menopause and post-menopause symptoms is well known as it has been extensively studied by Indena with pharmacokinetic, toxicological and clinical testing to ensure its safety and efficacy.

Commenting on the results of the study, Paolo Morazzoni, Indena Scientific Board Director, was delighted to observe that “breast cancer patients, clearly a group of women most in need of natural alternatives, were today being offered further safeguards for the prospective consumption of Soyselect^®”.