Soya Sauce's Fungal Metabolites Show Promise in Cancer Treatment

SINGAPORE - Recent laboratory tests have unveiled a potential breakthrough in cancer treatment using metabolites derived from soya sauce, a product typically associated with culinary applications. This innovative research emerges from a collaboration between Kitkoji, a local skincare company, and the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS). The partnership, formalized in May 2025, aims to explore the anti-cancer properties of fungal metabolites produced during the fermentation process of soya sauce.

Kitkoji, founded by Ken Koh, originally spun off from Nanyang Sauce, a family-owned manufacturer known for traditional fermented soya sauce. In 2022, studies on Nanyang Sauce's products indicated notable antioxidant and anti-aging properties, largely attributed to a specific mold known as *Aspergillus oryzae*, or koji, integral to the fermentation of soya beans. Koh, who serves as both the owner of Nanyang Sauce and CEO of Kitkoji, expressed his astonishment when a customer reported a significant improvement in skin cancer lesions after using Kitkoji products. This prompted further investigation into the therapeutic potential of the skincare line.

Initial laboratory findings revealed that a proprietary extract, dubbed Extract K, demonstrated efficacy in targeting cancer cells across various types, including breast, lung, skin, and gastrointestinal cancers. These tests included evaluations on xenograft models, which involve transplanting human cancer cells into animal subjects to observe drug responses. Early results suggest promising pathways for the development of treatments, with researchers identifying active compounds thought to contribute to these anti-cancer effects.

Professor Jason Chan, the director of the Cancer Discovery Hub at NCCS, emphasized the collaboration's potential to yield innovative therapies for cancer patients. "This partnership reflects our collective mission to translate scientific discoveries into viable clinical options," Chan stated. The research will specifically examine the cancer mycobiome—the fungal ecosystem surrounding tumors—to identify novel bioactive compounds that could be harnessed for treatment.

The shared objective is to validate the effectiveness of Extract K and to delineate the compounds responsible for its action against cancer cells. Over the next year, the collaboration will assess dosing requirements and conduct further tests to establish proof of concept, paving the way for possible clinical trials.

Notably, other studies have corroborated the therapeutic potential of fungi in oncology. Research conducted by the University of Nottingham, published in the journal *FEBS Letters* in November 2024, highlighted the anticancer properties of cordycepin, a compound sourced from a parasitic fungus affecting caterpillars, which was shown to inhibit cancer cell growth.

As the partnership between Kitkoji and NCCS unfolds, it represents a significant step toward integrating traditional fermentation technology with modern medical research, potentially altering the landscape of cancer treatment. The implications of these findings not only underscore the versatility of fungal metabolites but also open avenues for further exploration into unconventional sources for cancer therapies. The ongoing research may provide critical insights that could ultimately benefit a diverse array of cancer patients worldwide.