Molecular targets of phytochemicals for cancer prevention

Ki Won Lee1, Ann M Bode, Zigang Dong

  • 1Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 143701, Republic of Korea.

Nature Reviews. Cancer
|February 18, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Dietary phytochemicals show promise for cancer prevention by modulating cellular pathways. Further research is needed to model their interactions with target proteins for developing targeted therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Cancer therapies show limited efficacy, particularly for advanced stages.
  • Cancer prevention strategies are gaining importance, including targeted approaches.
  • Dietary phytochemicals are recognized for their potential safety and role in modulating cellular pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of dietary phytochemicals in cancer prevention.
  • To understand how phytochemicals interact with cellular signaling pathways.
  • To model the interactions between phytochemicals and their target proteins.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review on phytochemicals and cancer signaling.
  • Computational modeling of phytochemical-protein interactions.
  • Analysis of cellular signaling pathway perturbation.

Main Results:

  • Dietary phytochemicals can modulate key cellular signaling pathways.
  • Phytochemicals exhibit potential as preventive agents against cancer.
  • Modeling interactions provides insights into their mechanism of action.

Conclusions:

  • Dietary phytochemicals represent a promising avenue for cancer prevention strategies.
  • Understanding phytochemical-protein interactions is crucial for developing targeted preventive therapies.
  • Further research in molecular modeling can elucidate phytochemical efficacy.

Related Concept Videos

Cancer Prevention02:59

Cancer Prevention

Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Cancer Prevention02:59

Cancer Prevention

Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase01:11

Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase

Genetic polymorphisms in drug targets have emerged as critical determinants of interindividual variability in drug response and toxicity. Pharmacogenomic investigations increasingly focus on identifying these variations to personalize and optimize therapeutic interventions. A drug target may be a receptor, enzyme, or signaling protein involved in pharmacologic responses or disease-related pathways. While early pharmacogenetic studies focused primarily on drug metabolism, current research...
Targets for Drug Action: Overview01:26

Targets for Drug Action: Overview

Drugs target macromolecules to modify ongoing cellular processes. Primary drug targets include receptors, ion channels, transporters, and enzymes.
Receptors are either membrane-spanning or intracellular proteins, which upon binding a ligand, get activated and transmit the signal downstream to elicit a response. Drugs bind receptors, either mimicking the action of endogenous ligands or blocking the receptor activity to bring about a modified response. Nearly 35% of approved drugs target the G...