Ongoing research at the University of Rhode Island has looked at how compounds in maple products affect colon and breast cancers. In the laboratory, breast and colon cancer cells were exposed to compounds in maple products called ginnalins. The results showed that colon cancer cells responded better to these compounds than breast cancer cells did. This means that these compounds are better at targeting certain cancers but still were able to have a significant effect on both cancers.

Further research needs to be done to analyze which compounds would work best for each type of cancer in chemotherapy treatments. But, this research acts as the front runner for natural products to contribute to more effective and highly targeted cancer treatments.