NCIt definition : An extract of fermented wheat germ containing a concentrated, standardized amount
of methoxy-substituted benzoquinones with immunomodulatory and potential antineoplastic
activities. Fermented wheat germ extract (FWGE) inhibits the activities of several
enzymes involved in de novo nucleic acid synthesis and in supplying the dNTP pool
required for DNA replication. This agent also induces caspase-3- mediated inactivation
of poly(ADP)ribose polymerase (PARP), a key enzyme in DNA repair that is overexpressed
in many cancers; cleavage of PARP prevents DNA repair and induces apoptosis. The benzoquinones
may contribute to the immunomodulatory effects of FWGE, down-regulating major histocompatibility
complex class I (MHC-1) protein on the surface of cancer cells, allowing natural killer
(NK) cell surveillance; and up-regulating the expression of intracellular adhesion
molecule 1 (ICAM-1) on tumor endothelial cells.;