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Promises of natural products as clinical applications for cancer

Rui Deng1, Gang-Fan Zong2, Xi Wang3

  • 1Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023. China; Nanjing Integrated Traditional Chinese And Western Medicine Hospital, Nanjing 210018. China.

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta. Reviews on Cancer
|December 14, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Natural compounds from plants, microbes, and marine life offer promising anticancer agents. This review details their clinical use and development, aiding future drug discovery for cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Natural Product Chemistry
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Cancer poses a significant global health burden, driving the need for novel therapeutic strategies.
  • Natural products from diverse sources are a rich resource for identifying new anticancer drugs.
  • Understanding traditional uses and cancer biology aids in developing effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive review of natural anticancer agents in clinical trials or practice.
  • To explore the potential of microbial and marine sources for novel anticancer therapies.
  • To classify and elucidate the antitumor properties of natural products.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of natural anticancer agents.
  • Analysis of compounds in clinical trials and clinical practice.
  • Classification of natural products based on source and function.

Main Results:

  • Identified numerous natural anticancer agents from plants, microbes, and marine organisms.
  • Highlighted the ongoing clinical evaluation and application of these agents.
  • Emphasized the importance of understanding their mechanisms of action and antitumor properties.

Conclusions:

  • Natural products represent a vital source for developing innovative anticancer drugs.
  • Continued research into microbial and marine sources is crucial for advancing cancer therapy.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of existing natural anticancer drugs supports future drug discovery efforts.
Keywords:
AntitumorClinical applicationsHallmarks of cancerNatural productsTumor targets

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