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Updated: Aug 22, 2025
Generation of Orthotopic Pancreatic Tumors and Ex vivo Characterization of Tumor-Infiltrating T Cell Cytotoxicity
Published on: December 7, 2019
Active Biomolecules from Vegetable Extracts with Antitumoral Activity against Pancreas Cancer: A Systematic Review
Cristina Mesas1,2,3, Francisco Quiñonero1,2,3, Kevin Doello1,3,4
1Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Center of Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, 18100 Granada, Spain.
Abstract:
The emergence of resistance to pancreatic cancer (PC) current treatment requires the development of new therapeutic strategies. In this context, bioactive molecules from plant extracts have shown excellent properties to improve classical therapy against this type of tumor. This systematic review aims to collect all the in vitro studies related to the antiproliferative activity of isolated plant molecules that support their applicability in PC. A total of 620 articles published in the last 10 years were identified, although only 28 were finally included to meet the inclusion criteria. Our results reflect the most important biomolecules from natural compounds that induce cell death in PC and their essential mechanism of cell death, including apoptosis, pathways activated by the KRAS mutation and cycle cell arrest, among others. These in vitro studies provide an excellent molecule guide showing applications against PC and that should be tested in vivo and in clinical trials to determine their usefulness to reduce PC incidence and to improve the prognosis of these patients. However, natural compounds are isolated in small amounts, which prevents comprehensive drug screening, being necessary the role of organic synthesis for the total synthesis of natural compounds or for the synthesis of their simplified and bioactive analogs.
Insights
Plant-derived molecules show promise in fighting pancreatic cancer (PC) by inducing cell death. Further research and synthesis are needed to develop these natural compounds into effective PC therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Natural Products Chemistry
Background:
- Pancreatic cancer (PC) treatment resistance necessitates novel therapeutic approaches.
- Bioactive molecules from plant extracts offer potential to enhance conventional PC therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review in vitro studies on the antiproliferative activity of isolated plant molecules against pancreatic cancer.
- To identify key natural compounds and their mechanisms of action for PC treatment.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search for in vitro studies on plant-derived molecules and pancreatic cancer.
- Inclusion criteria applied to 620 identified articles, with 28 selected for review.
- Analysis of identified biomolecules, mechanisms of cell death, and pathways involved.
Main Results:
- Identified key natural compounds demonstrating antiproliferative effects on pancreatic cancer cells.
- Highlighted mechanisms of cell death, including apoptosis, KRAS-mutated pathway modulation, and cell cycle arrest.
- Documented the potential of these molecules as a guide for future pancreatic cancer drug development.
Conclusions:
- In vitro evidence supports the use of specific plant-derived molecules against pancreatic cancer.
- Further in vivo and clinical trials are warranted to validate efficacy and improve patient prognosis.
- Organic synthesis is crucial for overcoming limitations in natural compound isolation for drug screening and analog development.
