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Phytochemicals in Cancer Chemoprevention: Preclinical and Clinical Studies
Nitish Lekhak1, Hitesh Kumar Bhattarai1
1Department of Biotechnology, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Nepal.
Abstract:
Phytochemicals, chemicals from plants, have garnered huge attention for their potential ability to prevent cancer. In vivo and preclinical models show that they do so often by affecting the hallmarks of cancer. Phytochemicals affect key pathways involved in the survival, genome maintenance, proliferation, senescence, and transendothelial migration of cancer cells. Some phytochemicals, namely antioxidants, can scavenge and quench reactive oxygen species (ROS) to prevent lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. They also trigger apoptosis by stopping the cell cycle at checkpoints to initiate the DNA damage response. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that phytochemicals hinder cancer onset and progression by modifying major cell signaling pathways such as JAK/STAT, PI3K/Akt, Wnt, NF-kB, TGF-β, and MAPK. It is a well-known fact that the occurrence of cancer is in itself a very intricate process involving multiple mechanisms concurrently. Cancer prevention using phytochemicals is also an equally complex process that requires investigation and understanding of a myriad of processes going on in the cells and tissues. While many in vitro and preclinical studies have established that phytochemicals may be potential chemopreventive agents of cancer, their role in clinical randomized control trials needs to be established. This paper aims to shed light on the dynamics of chemoprevention using phytochemicals.
Insights
Plant-derived phytochemicals show promise in cancer prevention by targeting cancer hallmarks and cell pathways. Further clinical trials are needed to confirm their efficacy as chemopreventive agents.
Area of Science:
- Plant-derived compounds
- Cancer biology
- Chemoprevention research
Background:
- Phytochemicals, plant-derived chemicals, are investigated for cancer prevention.
- They impact cancer hallmarks, including cell survival, proliferation, and migration.
- Mechanisms involve modulating key cell signaling pathways and cellular processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of phytochemicals in cancer prevention.
- To elucidate the cellular and molecular dynamics of phytochemical-mediated chemoprevention.
- To highlight the need for clinical validation of phytochemicals' anticancer potential.
Main Methods:
- Review of in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies.
- Analysis of phytochemical effects on cancer cell hallmarks and signaling pathways (e.g., JAK/STAT, PI3K/Akt, Wnt, NF-kB, TGF-β, MAPK).
- Examination of antioxidant properties and DNA damage response induction.
Main Results:
- Phytochemicals influence cancer cell survival, genome maintenance, proliferation, senescence, and migration.
- Antioxidant phytochemicals mitigate reactive oxygen species (ROS), preventing lipid peroxidation and DNA damage.
- Phytochemicals modulate critical cancer-related signaling pathways, potentially hindering cancer progression.
Conclusions:
- Phytochemicals demonstrate significant potential as chemopreventive agents based on preclinical evidence.
- Their complex mechanisms of action involve multiple cellular pathways.
- Clinical randomized controlled trials are essential to establish their efficacy in human cancer prevention.
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