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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.
Abstract:
There is an increasing awareness of the importance of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables for human health. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are characterized as a subpopulation of cancer cells with aberrant regulation of self-renewal, proliferation or apoptosis leading to cancer progression, invasiveness, metastasis formation, and therapy resistance. Anticancer effects of phytochemicals are also directed to target CSCs. Here we provide a comprehensive review of dietary phytochemicals targeting CSCs. Moreover, we evaluate and summarize studies dealing with effects of dietary phytochemicals on CSCs of various malignancies in preclinical and clinical research. Dietary phytochemicals have a significant impact on CSCs which may be applied in cancer prevention and treatment. However, anticancer effects of plant derived compounds have not yet been fully investigated in clinical research.
Insights
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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