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Cancer control by phytochemicals

Hoyoku Nishino1, Yoshiko Satomi, Harukuni Tokuda

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Kamigyou-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan. cha-nishino@nifty.com

Current Pharmaceutical Design
|November 30, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Cancer chemoprevention using phytochemicals is a promising strategy. This review covers molecular targets and highlights cancer-preventive compounds like carotenoids.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Chemoprevention is a vital cancer control strategy.
  • Phytochemicals offer a molecular mechanism-based approach to cancer prevention.
  • Understanding molecular targets is key for effective chemoprevention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review molecular targets for cancer prevention.
  • To present examples of cancer-preventive phytochemicals.
  • To highlight the potential of phytochemicals in cancer control.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of chemoprevention strategies.
  • Overview of molecular targets in cancer development.
  • Compilation of data on phytochemicals with cancer-preventive properties.

Main Results:

  • Several molecular targets for cancer prevention have been identified.
  • Phytochemicals, including carotenoids, demonstrate cancer-preventive potential.
  • Mechanism-based chemoprevention by phytochemicals is a feasible strategy.

Conclusions:

  • Phytochemicals represent a significant avenue for cancer chemoprevention.
  • Targeting specific molecular pathways with phytochemicals can aid cancer control.
  • Further research into carotenoids and other phytochemicals is warranted.

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