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Enhancing Chemosensitivity With Quercetin: Mechanistic Insights Into MerTK and Associated Signaling Pathways
Sorush Jafari1, Sorayya Ghasemi1,2
1Cancer Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
Cancer Reports (Hoboken, N.J.)
|November 6, 2025
Summary
Quercetin shows promise as a cancer therapy by targeting the MerTK pathway. Enhancing its delivery and combining it with MerTK inhibitors can improve its effectiveness and overcome bioavailability issues.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Quercetin, a natural flavonoid, exhibits anticancer properties via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and signaling pathway modulation.
- Clinical application of quercetin is limited by poor absorption and bioavailability.
- Focus on the myeloid-epithelial-reproductive tyrosine kinase (MerTK) pathway and its downstream signaling cascades.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review quercetin's potential as a supplemental cancer treatment.
- To investigate quercetin's effects on the MerTK pathway and downstream signaling.
- To explore strategies for improving quercetin's clinical utility.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature analysis of quercetin's mechanisms of action.
- Examination of quercetin's impact on MerTK and associated pathways.
- Review of advanced drug delivery technologies for quercetin.
Main Results:
- Quercetin modulates MerTK-mediated signaling, reducing tumor progression, angiogenesis, and immune evasion.
- Quercetin suppresses PD-L1 expression, inhibits cancer stem cell maintenance, and enhances apoptosis.
- Nanoparticle delivery systems show potential to improve quercetin bioavailability for combination therapies with MerTK inhibitors.
Conclusions:
- Quercetin is a promising complementary agent targeting MerTK signaling pathways in cancer.
- Advanced delivery systems and combination strategies can enhance quercetin's efficacy.
- Clinical trials are necessary to validate quercetin's therapeutic potential and optimize its use.
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