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Updated: Feb 16, 2026
Mapping the Structure-Function Relationships of Disordered Oncogenic Transcription Factors Using Transcriptomic Analysis
Published on: June 27, 2020
Targeting oncogenic transcription factors by polyphenols: A novel approach for cancer therapy
Chitra Rajagopal1, Manendra Babu Lankadasari1, Jesil Mathew Aranjani2
1Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, Kerala, India.
Abstract:
Inflammation is one of the major causative factor of cancer and chronic inflammation is involved in all the major steps of cancer initiation, progression metastasis and drug resistance. The molecular mechanism of inflammation driven cancer is the complex interplay between oncogenic and tumor suppressive transcription factors which include FOXM1, NF-kB, STAT3, Wnt/β- Catenin, HIF-1α, NRF2, androgen and estrogen receptors. Several products derived from natural sources modulate the expression and activity of multiple transcription factors in various tumor models as evident from studies conducted in cell lines, pre-clinical models and clinical samples. Further combination of these natural products along with currently approved cancer therapies added an additional advantage and they considered as promising targets for prevention and treatment of inflammation and cancer. In this review we discuss the application of multi-targeting natural products by analyzing the literature and future directions for their plausible applications in drug discovery.
Insights
Chronic inflammation drives cancer initiation, progression, and drug resistance. Natural products targeting key transcription factors offer promising strategies for cancer prevention and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Chronic inflammation is a key driver in all stages of cancer development, including initiation, progression, metastasis, and drug resistance.
- The molecular mechanisms involve complex interactions between oncogenic and tumor-suppressive transcription factors like FOXM1, NF-kB, STAT3, and others.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the application of multi-targeting natural products in combating inflammation-driven cancer.
- To explore future directions for natural products in cancer drug discovery.
Main Methods:
- Literature analysis of studies on natural products' effects on transcription factors in various cancer models (cell lines, pre-clinical, clinical).
- Examination of the synergistic effects of natural products combined with approved cancer therapies.
Main Results:
- Natural products modulate the expression and activity of multiple transcription factors crucial in cancer.
- Combinations of natural products with existing cancer therapies show added advantages.
Conclusions:
- Multi-targeting natural products are promising for cancer prevention and treatment by addressing inflammation.
- Further research into natural products holds potential for novel cancer drug discovery strategies.
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