[New function of lactoferrin: protection against cancer development and metastasis].

Lactoferrin (LF) is an 80 kD iron-binding glycoprotein that is most highly produced in human and bovine milk and is also widely distributed in mammals. Researches of more than 70 years on lactoferrin prove that the molecule, as a nutritional molecule for mammals, possesses several physiological roles, including maintaining iron absorption, anti-microbial activity and immune modulation. Recent studies have demonstrated that LF can protect against cancer in experimental animals and has anticarcinogenic activity in many human tumors. As a natural nutrition, the "old" gene-lactoferrin has attracted attention from medical community for its "new"anticarcinogenic role.