A substance in human milk can kill cancer cells

Substance in Breast Milk Kills Cancer Cells, Study Suggests
ScienceDaily (Apr. 23, 2010) — A substance found in breast milk can kill cancer cells, reveal studies carried out by researchers at Lund University and the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

Although the special substance, known as HAMLET (Human Alpha-lactalbumin Made LEthal to Tumour cells), was discovered in breast milk several years ago, it is only now that it has been possible to test it on humans. Patients with cancer of the bladder who were treated with the substance excreted dead cancer cells in their urine after each treatment, which has given rise to hopes that it can be developed into medication for cancer care in the future.

Discovered by chance


HAMLET was discovered by chance when researchers were studying the antibacterial properties of breast milk. Further studies showed that HAMLET comprises a protein and a fatty acid that are both found naturally in breast milk. So far, however, it has not been proven that the HAMLET complex is spontaneously formed in the milk. It is speculated, however, that HAMLET can form in the acidic environment of the babies´ stomachs. Laboratory experiments have shown that HAMLET kills 40 different types of cancer, and the researchers are now going on to study its effect on skin cancer, tumours in the mucous membranes and brain tumours. Importantly, HAMLET kills only cancer cells and does not affect healthy cells.



Studying the integration of the substance

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg are focusing on how HAMLET can be taken up into tumour cells. The researchers, Roger Karlsson, Maja Puchades and Ingela Lanekoff, are attempting to gain an in-depth understanding of how the substance interacts with cell membranes, and their findings were recently published in the journal PLoS One.

Human milk and the premature baby

Premature babies arrive earlier than the expected 38 weeks gestation. Thanks to medical advances, babies weighing slightly less than 2 pounds are more likely to survive today.

However, because a premature baby's organs are often not fully developed, they are at a greater risk for health complications such as breathing issues, infection, anemia, and low blood pressure. Breast milk, though, has been shown to play a crucial role in improving the health of premature infants.

Most premature babies won’t be able to breastfeed initially because they aren’t strong enough and their sucking-swallowing coordination is not yet developed. Also, because the gastrointestinal tract of many premature babies is often not yet fully developed, they must be fed very slowly and carefully, usually through a tube that is placed through the mouth directly into the stomach. But that doesn’t mean that these babies shouldn’t receive breast milk. In fact, breast milk contains many important antibodies that help fight disease and prevent infection, a benefit crucial to vulnerable preemies. Breast milk also contains proteins that promote growth, helping preemies grow at a faster rate than full-term babies.

Another benefit of breast milk is that it plays an important role in preventing problems specific to preemies. An important area of study has been the protective effects of breast milk against necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious intestinal infection. One study showed that infants who received artificial milk had 6-10 times increased risk for NEC than infants fed breast milk. Other studies revealed premature infants fed breast milk were at a significantly decreased risk of any kind of infection—including the potentially devastating infectious condition called meningitis.

I have also mentioned in a previous blog post that amazingly enough, mother's own milk is designed specifically for the age of the baby. Milk for a 20 week old preemie will be different than the milk for a 26 week old preemie as the milk produced has varying degrees of protein, lipids, fatty acids, calcium, vitamins and other important nutrients vital to the developing baby.

While I don't know how our bodies know to produce milk that is meant for our babies age, it just does. This further supports the need for babies to receive their own mothers milk as it is specially designed for them.

While mothers of premature babies naturally produce milk tailored to the needs of their small offspring, preemie breast milk may also be fortified with supplements called “human milk fortifiers” to provide additional needed calcium, vitamins, and protein. Clinical evidence has shown that preemies who received fortified breast milk experienced improved growth and a better nutritional status.

Next post we will talk more specifically about some helpful hints for mothers who are pumping exclusively for their premature babies.

The Benefits of Human Milk for your preterm baby

Human Milk - Mothers Milk - Breastmilk - Goes by many names and I would love to share with you some of the amazing benefits human milk offers the premature baby.

Large protein molecules called Immunoglobulins are in breastmilk the whole time you breastfeed. They are in a highly concentrated form in the colostrum, which is the milk you make for the first several days after birth. Immunoglobulins are also called antibodies and these provide numerous health benefits for your baby.

When moms are on the fence about whether to breastfeed or not, I strongly encourage them to breastfeed for the first several days so they can give their baby the benefit of colostrum, a health benefit that they can not get anywhere else from any other liquid food. It is always lovely for me to see that the mothers who were unsure of breastfeeding initially, begin to enjoy it so much that they continue far beyond the first few days.


Human milk is important for the optimal growth and development of full-term babies, but it is even more important for babies born prematurely. If your baby is preterm, his stomach and intestines (which the NICU staff will refer to as his gastrointestinal tract, GI tract, or gut) are even smaller and less mature than the tiny, immature gut of a full-term baby.

If your NICU baby is premature, your milk will be different for the first few weeks than the breast milk of a mother who gives birth at term. Your body knows that your baby came early, and it provides milk that is better for the baby's needs. For the first 2 to 4 weeks after birth your milk will contain more protein, fat calories, and calcium phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, sodium, and chloride that full-term milk. This early milk also has a laxative effect on your baby's bowels, helping him to pas the first stools (called meconium). Stooling is an important sign the GI tract is working: it also helps resolved jaundice.

Nurses notice that babies fed their mother's milk tolerate feedings well because human milk is easy to digest, with very little left over in the baby's stomach.

Brain growth and development are rapid in the final 3 months of gestation. During the latter part of pregnancy, the fetal brain more than doubles in size and weight, and nearly doubles again in the first year of life and well into the second year. Several studies have suggested that breastfeeding improves mental development. In fact, greater amounts of breast milk intake (compared with formula) have been correlated with higher developmental outcome among the smallest preterm babies.


If your baby is not able to breastfeed, you can still provide milk for your baby by pumping. While this may seem like a lot of work, it can be made easier when you work with a lactation consultant who can provide you with an individualized care plan that works for you. Your lactation consultant will provide you with all the details needed for you to succeed with breastmilk pumping.

You will begin to see your premature baby gain weight and flourish with all the health benefits of your milk. Pretty soon your baby will be able to directly breastfeed. If you find this transition from pumping to breastfeeding, please enlist the help of an IBCLC who is well prepared to help you succeed.

More information on premature babies and human milk in the next entry.

Lori