This article, from the Journal of Biomedical Science, analyzed two lipid soluble compounds from coffee and the possible therapeutic effects they may have against malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Cafestol and Kahweol, fat-soluble compounds found in the oils from coffee grounds, are present at high amounts in unfiltered coffee (French press for example). The drip coffee brewing process, which uses a paper filter, removes these compounds from the brew due to their oily properties.
The researchers in this study examined the activity of these two molecules on MSTO-211H (mesothelioma cells) cells. Specificity protein (SP), important in all mammalian cells, “was recently defined as the Sp/krűppel-like transcription factor [15] and has many cellular functions including regulation of cellular processes, growth, and metastasis of human tumors by regulating oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, cell cycle control molecules, growth-related signal transductions, angiogenesis-related factors, as well as apoptosis [16] (Lee et. al).” The conclusions reached by the researchers are as follows. “We suggest that cafestol and kahweol regulate Sp1 target proteins, resulting in apoptosis by the suppression of Sp1 levels in MSTO-211H cells. Sp1 can be used as an effective therapeutic target in cancer research, and cafestol and kahweol are potential cancer drugs or adjuvants as chemotherapeutic agents for MPM (Lee et. al)”
The research on this topic is fascinating. Interestingly, various types of therapy including immunotherapy, gene therapy and molecular targeting agents have been tested and found not to be effective in the treatment of this cancer (Lee et. al). The mechanism of action regarding these two compounds is yet to be understood (Lee et. al). Further research exploring these compounds has the potential to greatly benefit society and the terminally ill. Lastly, it only raises curiosity when considering how the filtered compounds in coffee may interact with the other 1000 chemicals found in the brew. Besides their role in cancer, could they also have implications for the behavior or absorption rates of caffeine?
Please check out this study for further information.