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Diet, nutrients, phytochemicals, and cancer metastasis suppressor genes

Gary G Meadows1

  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Washington State University, P. O. Box 646510, Pullman, WA 99164-6510, USA. meadows@wsu.edu

Cancer Metastasis Reviews
|June 14, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Dietary compounds and phytochemicals can impact cancer metastasis by influencing metastasis suppressor genes. This review explores how diet and plant-derived chemicals affect these genes, offering potential therapeutic strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Metastasis is a primary driver of cancer morbidity and mortality, with limited targeted therapies.
  • Diet and lifestyle significantly influence cancer progression and survival.
  • Phytochemicals in edible plants show antimetastatic potential, but their impact on metastasis suppressor genes is underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the impact of diet, dietary components, and phytochemicals on metastasis suppressor genes.
  • To explore the role of epigenetic regulation in mediating the antimetastatic effects of dietary constituents.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on diet, phytochemicals, gene expression, and cancer metastasis.
  • Analysis of studies investigating epigenetic mechanisms modulated by dietary factors.

Main Results:

  • Dietary components and phytochemicals can modulate the expression and function of metastasis suppressor genes.
  • Epigenetic modifications are a key mechanism through which diet influences metastasis suppressor genes.
  • Understanding these interactions can reveal novel strategies for cancer control.

Conclusions:

  • Dietary interventions and phytochemicals represent a promising, yet underexplored, avenue for controlling cancer metastasis.
  • Targeting metastasis suppressor genes via dietary and epigenetic modulation holds therapeutic potential.

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