Combination Anticancer Therapies Using Selected Phytochemicals
Wamidh H Talib1, Dima Awajan1, Reem Ali Hamed1
1Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutic, Applied Science Private University, Amman 11931-166, Jordan.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 9, 2022
Summary
Plant-derived natural products offer promising, less toxic alternatives for cancer treatment. This review analyzes phytochemical anticancer mechanisms and combination therapies, aiding research into novel cancer medicines.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Cancer remains a leading global health challenge, significantly impacting life expectancy.
- Conventional chemotherapy often exhibits toxicity and lacks selectivity, necessitating alternative treatments.
- Plant-derived natural products show significant potential in cancer therapy due to diverse mechanisms, structures, availability, and lower toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the anticancer mechanisms of prevalent phytochemicals.
- To discuss the efficacy of combining natural products with each other or with chemotherapeutic drugs.
- To provide a foundation for advancing research in alternative anticancer drug development.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of existing research on phytochemicals and cancer.
- Analysis of documented anticancer mechanisms of common plant-derived compounds.
- Evaluation of studies reporting on combination therapies involving natural products and conventional drugs.
Main Results:
- Phytochemicals exhibit multiple anticancer mechanisms, including antiproliferative, apoptotic, anti-angiogenic, and antioxidant effects.
- Combinations of natural products or natural products with chemotherapeutics can enhance efficacy and potentially reduce side effects.
- Synergistic effects observed in combined therapies warrant further investigation.
Conclusions:
- Plant-derived natural products represent a valuable resource for developing novel, safer anticancer agents.
- Combination strategies hold promise for overcoming drug resistance and improving treatment outcomes.
- Further research is crucial for translating these findings into clinical applications for cancer patients.
More Related Videos
08:57Sample Extraction and Simultaneous Chromatographic Quantitation of Doxorubicin and Mitomycin C Following Drug Combination Delivery in Nanoparticles to Tumor-bearing Mice
Published on: October 5, 2017
11.0K
09:20Preclinical Assessment of the Bioactivity of the Anticancer Coumarin OT48 by Spheroids, Colony Formation Assays, and Zebrafish Xenografts
Published on: June 26, 2018
8.5K
Related Concept Videos
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
5.1K
Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
5.1K
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
7.8K
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
7.8K
02:59Cancer Prevention
6.3K
Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Some...
6.3K
02:49Cancer Therapies
7.9K
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
7.9K
02:34Inhibition of Cdk Activity
4.9K
The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
4.9K
01:15Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules
2.1K
Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...
2.1K