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Dietary Phytochemicals Targeting Cancer Stem Cells
Alena Liskova1, Peter Kubatka2, Marek Samec3
1Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Martin, 03601 Bratislava, Slovakia. alenka.liskova@gmail.com.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 7, 2019
Summary
Dietary phytochemicals, compounds from plants, show promise in targeting cancer stem cells (CSCs). Research indicates these natural compounds may aid in cancer prevention and treatment by impacting CSCs, though more clinical studies are needed.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nutritional Science
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Growing recognition of diet's role in health.
- Cancer stem cells (CSCs) drive cancer progression, metastasis, and treatment resistance.
- Phytochemicals possess anticancer properties that can target CSCs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively review dietary phytochemicals that target cancer stem cells (CSCs).
- To evaluate and summarize research on the effects of dietary phytochemicals on CSCs across various cancers.
- To assess the potential of phytochemicals in cancer prevention and therapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of preclinical and clinical studies.
- Analysis of research on dietary phytochemicals and their impact on CSCs.
- Synthesis of findings on phytochemicals targeting CSCs in different malignancies.
Main Results:
- Dietary phytochemicals significantly impact cancer stem cells.
- Evidence suggests phytochemicals can influence CSC self-renewal, proliferation, and apoptosis.
- Studies show effects across various cancer types in preclinical and clinical settings.
Conclusions:
- Dietary phytochemicals represent a promising strategy for targeting cancer stem cells.
- These compounds hold potential for both cancer prevention and treatment.
- Further clinical research is essential to fully elucidate the therapeutic benefits of plant-derived compounds.
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