New research has found that extracts from peaches and plums were effective in destroying breast cancer cells while leaving healthy, normal cells unharmed.

The findings, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, indicate that certain chemicals contained in the fruit are responsible for the cancer-fighting abilities. These molecules are known as phenolic compounds, which are slightly acidic and possibly give the fruit their distinctive flavor, appearance, and smell.

Previous work had shown that fruits like plums were actually higher in antioxidants than even blueberries, which have always been considered the gold standard in terms of healthful compounds. Using this information, researchers selected specific varieties of the fruit to test their potential anti-cancer potential.

The specificity of the extracts were also desirable due to the toxicity of current cancer fighting regimens, which can include chemotherapy and radiation. Chemotherapy is also non-selective, meaning that it kills all cells that it comes in contact with, even healthy ones. As a consequence, the side effects of treatment can be very difficult to endure.

In the study in question, cancer cells from breast tumors as well normal cells were exposed to peach and plum extracts. What they observed was that cancer cells were killed while the normal cells were left unharmed. The results were confirmed in animal models.

Scientists believe that the active molecules are two phenolic acid components, chlorogenic and neochlorogenic. The compounds are common in fruit, but are especially high in what are known as "stone fruits," which include peaches and plums.

The authors of the study plan on performing more tests on the fruit in question in order to gain a better understanding of the molecular mechanism behind their cancer fighting abilities as well as how they might be influenced by breeding. They also hope to study the their potential therapeutic effects in other forms of cancer.

Breast cancer originates in the breast tissue, most often in the inner lining of the milk ducts or the lobules that supply milk to the ducts. There are numerous forms of cancer that vary according to the stage of the disease, its aggressiveness, and genetic makeup of the patient. All of these factors can play a role in survival.

After skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in women, affecting 1 in 8 women in this country. In 2009, there were 192,370 new cases of breast cancer in women and 40,610 fatalities as a result of breast cancer in both men and women.

If you have questions or concerns, speak with your doctor. For more information about breast cancer, visit the homepage of BreastCancer.org and the National Cancer Institute.