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A Review: Phytochemicals Targeting JAK/STAT Signaling and IDO Expression in Cancer

Niroshaathevi Arumuggam1, Neil A Bhowmick2, H P Vasantha Rupasinghe1,3

  • 1Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS, B2N 5E3, Canada.

Phytotherapy Research : PTR
|March 20, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Phytochemicals like resveratrol and curcumin can inhibit Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathways and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) expression. These natural compounds offer novel therapeutic strategies for targeting cancer proliferation and development.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Cancer cells often exhibit constitutive activation of the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway.
  • This pathway activation can lead to the induction of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), an enzyme that degrades tryptophan and suppresses anti-tumor immunity.
  • IDO induction is frequently mediated by JAK/STAT signaling in cancer cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of phytochemicals in inhibiting JAK/STAT signaling and IDO expression.
  • To explore the potential of phytochemicals as therapeutic agents for cancer treatment.
  • To highlight specific phytochemicals with anti-cancer properties.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating phytochemicals and their effects on JAK/STAT and IDO pathways.
  • Analysis of mechanisms by which phytochemicals modulate these signaling pathways.
  • Identification of promising phytochemicals based on existing research.

Main Results:

  • Many phytochemicals demonstrate the ability to inhibit both JAK/STAT signaling and IDO expression.
  • Phytochemicals target various pathways involved in cancer cell proliferation and immune evasion.
  • Resveratrol, cucurbitacin, curcumin, and (-)-epigallocatechin gallate are identified as promising anti-cancer agents.

Conclusions:

  • Phytochemicals represent a viable therapeutic strategy for targeting cancer.
  • Inhibition of JAK/STAT signaling and IDO expression by phytochemicals can impede tumor growth and development.
  • Natural compounds offer novel avenues for cancer treatment and prevention.
Keywords:
JAK/STATcancerepigeneticsindoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO)phytochemicals

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