The 鈥渟upertomato"
A team of researchers from Italy鈥檚 in Naples have created a 鈥渟upertomato鈥 to be called the 鈥渕axantia鈥 which, they say, could help prevent prostrate and other cancers.
The scientists emphasise that the tomato is not genetically modified but a blend of San Marzano and black tomato varieties. The San Marzano tomato is already famed for its anti-inflammatory properties whilst the 鈥渂lack鈥 tomato [which is really purple] contains a high percentage of cancer-fighting vitamin C and carotene lypocene.
According to the Head of the , Mauro Dimitri, who launched Italy鈥檚 Prostrate Cancer Week on Tuesday, the new tomato could also help fight Parkinson鈥檚 disease, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.
The name 鈥渕axantia鈥 has yet to be registered but growers in Campania are already cultivating the plant, whilst regional politicians have given their support to a commercial campaign to encourage pizza chefs in the region to use the 鈥渕axantia鈥 tomato in their creations.
37,000 new cases of prostrate cancer are reported in men each year in Italy, ANSA reports.
Possible new bone cancer treatment for children
Another new discovery in the fight against cancer may lead to new treatments for children with the second most common type of infantile bone cancer, Ewing鈥檚 sarcoma. Scientists at the in Bologna, who have been working for four years with a team in Utah, USA and the in Milan, say that if a way of removing a cell protein called CD99 can be found, the disease could be arrested before it becomes malignant.
Katia Scotlandi, Head of the Institute鈥檚 Department for the Development of Biomolecular Therapy, was careful to point out that new treatments are not an immediate possibility but says she does believe that the discovery is a turning point.
