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Cancer chemoprevention with dietary phytochemicals

Young-Joon Surh1

  • 1College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Shinlim-dong, Kwanak-ku, Seoul 151-742, South Korea. surh@plaza.snu.ac.kr

Nature Reviews. Cancer
|October 23, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Chemoprevention uses plant-derived phytochemicals to inhibit cancer development. These compounds target intracellular signaling pathways, offering a promising strategy for cancer prevention through diet.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Chemoprevention involves using agents to inhibit or reverse cancer development (tumorigenesis).
  • Phytochemicals from edible plants are known to interfere with various stages of the carcinogenic process.
  • Intracellular signaling cascades are emerging as key molecular targets for chemopreventive agents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of phytochemicals in cancer chemoprevention.
  • To highlight the mechanisms by which dietary constituents exert anticarcinogenic effects.
  • To focus on intracellular signaling pathways as common targets for chemopreventive phytochemicals.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on chemoprevention and phytochemicals.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying the anticarcinogenic actions of dietary compounds.
  • Focus on research investigating intracellular signaling cascades.

Main Results:

  • Phytochemicals demonstrate significant potential in cancer chemoprevention.
  • Multiple mechanisms contribute to the anticarcinogenic effects of dietary components.
  • Intracellular signaling pathways are frequently modulated by chemopreventive phytochemicals.

Conclusions:

  • Dietary phytochemicals offer a viable approach to cancer chemoprevention.
  • Targeting intracellular signaling pathways represents a key strategy for developing new chemopreventive agents.
  • Further research into phytochemicals and their molecular targets can advance cancer prevention efforts.

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