Genistein, a derivative of soybeans, has been cited in reputable scientific journals as an angiogenesis inhibitor. Genistein and various dietary flavonoids are now listed for sale in several health food supplement catalogs. While there is scientific evidence that diets rich in soy foods are associated with lower incidence of prostate and breast cancer,¹ there is no data yet available to say whether soy foods might constrain the growth of VHL tumors.

It is possible that the anti-cancer effects of soy foods are related in some way to its ability to slow the growth of new blood vessels, but it is also possible that these effects are due to the influence of genistein on other biological processes. Research is still going on to understand the mechanism(s) involved. In addition to these properties, soybean products are very nutritious, rich in protein, low in fat and contain a lot of calcium. It is more cost effective to take soy as food ($1.50 per day) rather than as supplements ($5 per day).

We are seeking:

- Patients who are adding soy products to their diets or taking food supplements containing flavonoids or genistein

- Researchers interested in the effects of dietary flavonoids in general, and genistein in particular, on angiogenesis.

If you are in either one of these groups, please contact the VHL Family Alliance. We are gathering important preliminary data on the effect of natural inhibitors of angiogenesis in VHL.

My Soybean Diet

by Darlene S., California

In 1994, when my husband read about the cancer-preventive effects of a soybean diet and the effect of genistein on tumor growth, we thought is sounded very much like VHL’s growth of hemangioblastomas. We decided to seriously concentrate on this particular diet. We began eating, on a daily basis, moderate amounts of food that would mainly consist of tofu, tempe, soup (mostly miso) along with more cruciferous vegetables² (usually cut up in the soup) with a little pasta, less fat, high fiber foods, and more fruit. Not only did we lose over 30 pounds in no time, but we discovered an overall feeling of wellness.

My doctor recently said to me, "I don’t know what you’re doing, but keep it up! Your kidney and tumors haven’t grown at all the last two years." I don’t know if it’s the soy or not, but I’m still eating tofu.

1: Barnes S., Peterson TG., Coward L., Rationale for the use of genistein-containing soy matrices in chemoprevention trials for breast andprostate cancer. J Cellular Biochem. - Suppl. 22:181-7, 1995.

2. Cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, kale, mustard, rutabaga, and turnips. The beta-carotene in vegetables counteract environmental effects which can modify genes and cause tumors to form.

As published in the VHL Family Forum 5:3, September 1997. For permission to reprint, please contact VHL Family Alliance, editor@vhl.org. Further information is available from the VHL Family Alliance, info@vhl.org.

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