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Epigenetic targeting of cancer stem cells by polyphenols (cancer stem cells targeting)
Sorayya Ghasemi1,2, Suowen Xu3, Seyed Mohammad Nabavi4
1Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
Abstract:
Epigenetic alterations are one of the main factors that disrupt the expression of genes and consequently, they have an important role in the carcinogenicity and the progression of different cancers. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are accountable for the recurrence, metastasis, and therapeutic failure of cancer. The noticeable and specific pathways in CSCs can be organized by epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling, regulatory RNAs, among others. Since epigenetics modifications can be changed and reversed, it is a possible tool for cancer control and treatment. Epigenetic therapies against CSCs are emerging as a very new strategy with a good future expectation to treat cancer patients. Phenolic compounds are a vast group of substances with anticarcinogenic functions, antiinflammatory, and antioxidative activities. It seems these characteristics are related to neutralizing CSCs development, their microenvironment, and metabolism through epigenetic mechanisms. In the current work, the types of epigenetic changes known in these cells are introduced. In addition, some studies about the use of polyphenols acting through a variety of epigenetic mechanisms to counteract these cells will be reviewed. The reported results seem to indicate that the use of these phenolic compounds may be useful for CSCs defeat.
Insights
Epigenetic modifications influence cancer development and stem cell pathways. Phenolic compounds show promise in targeting these epigenetic changes for cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Epigenetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Epigenetic alterations are key drivers of gene dysregulation, impacting cancer carcinogenicity and progression.
- Cancer stem cells (CSCs) contribute significantly to cancer recurrence, metastasis, and treatment resistance.
- Epigenetic mechanisms like DNA methylation and chromatin remodeling regulate CSC-specific pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce known epigenetic changes in cancer stem cells.
- To review the use of phenolic compounds in targeting CSCs via epigenetic mechanisms.
- To explore the potential of epigenetic therapies involving phenolic compounds for cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on epigenetic alterations in cancer stem cells.
- Analysis of studies investigating the effects of phenolic compounds on CSCs.
- Examination of epigenetic mechanisms targeted by polyphenols.
Main Results:
- Epigenetic modifications are crucial in cancer stem cell biology.
- Phenolic compounds possess anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative properties.
- Evidence suggests polyphenols can modulate CSC development and metabolism through epigenetic pathways.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic therapies targeting CSCs represent a novel and promising cancer treatment strategy.
- Phenolic compounds demonstrate potential as therapeutic agents against CSCs by influencing epigenetic mechanisms.
- Further research into polyphenol-based epigenetic interventions could lead to improved cancer patient outcomes.
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