Bufalin-Mediated Regulation of Cell Signaling Pathways in Different Cancers: Spotlight on JAK/STAT, Wnt/β-Catenin,...

Area of Science:

• Natural Products Chemistry
• Molecular Oncology
• Cancer Chemoprevention

Background:

• Natural products are increasingly recognized for their role in cancer chemoprevention.
• Bufalin, derived from toad skin, is a potent molecule with multi-targeted therapeutic potential.
• Signaling pathways are crucial in carcinogenesis and metastasis, presenting therapeutic targets.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current knowledge on bufalin's role in cancer chemoprevention.
• To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying bufalin's anti-cancer effects.
• To identify research gaps and future directions for bufalin in oncology.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of preclinical studies (cell culture and animal models).
• Analysis of bufalin's effects on key signaling pathways (JAK/STAT, Wnt/β-Catenin, mTOR, TRAIL/TRAIL-R, EGFR, c-MET).
• Investigation of bufalin's impact on non-coding RNAs and the tumor microenvironment.

Main Results:

• Bufalin demonstrates pleiotropic regulation of multiple cancer-related signaling pathways.
• Evidence suggests bufalin inhibits carcinogenesis and metastasis in preclinical models.
• Bufalin modulates non-coding RNAs and targets tumor microenvironments, including macrophages.

Conclusions:

• Bufalin exhibits significant potential as a multi-targeted agent for cancer chemoprevention.
• Preclinical data support bufalin's role in inhibiting cancer progression.
• Clinical studies are limited, highlighting a need for further investigation into bufalin's efficacy and safety in humans.