A study released during the American Association for Cancer Research's (AACR) annual meeting reveals lycopene from tomatoes may activate special cancer-preventive enzymes called "phase II"? detoxification enzymes. These effectively remove harmful carcinogens from the cells and from the body. The research suggests consumption of carotenoid-rich tomato products may exert their cancer-preventive effect by stimulating the body's "antioxidant response element."