Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment
07:29

Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment

Published on: April 22, 2019

Xenobiotic Sulforaphane in Head and Neck Cancer: Beyond the Nrf2 Pathway

Alessandro Polizzi1, Rossella Rotondo2,3, Sabrina Donati Zeppa2

  • 1Department of General Surgery and Surgical-Medical Specialties, School of Dentistry, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy.

Journal of Xenobiotics
|June 25, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Sulforaphane, found in cruciferous vegetables, shows potential in fighting head and neck cancers (HNCs). It may inhibit tumor growth and enhance conventional treatments, but more clinical research is needed.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Head and neck cancers (HNCs) pose a significant global health challenge with limited treatment options for advanced stages.
  • Naturally derived compounds are being explored for their chemopreventive and therapeutic potential in HNCs.
  • Sulforaphane, a compound from cruciferous vegetables, modulates key cellular pathways relevant to cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current evidence on the biological effects of sulforaphane in head and neck cancers.
  • To explore the molecular mechanisms of sulforaphane's action, particularly its modulation of the Nrf2 pathway.
  • To assess sulforaphane's potential as a chemopreventive or therapeutic agent in HNC.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature on sulforaphane and HNCs.
  • Analysis of studies detailing sulforaphane's molecular mechanisms of action.
  • Examination of research on sulforaphane's effects on tumor growth, apoptosis, cell cycle, and signaling pathways.
  • Evaluation of studies investigating sulforaphane's impact on conventional cancer therapies.

Main Results:

  • Sulforaphane modulates redox balance, epigenetic regulation, and oncogenic signaling pathways.
  • It inhibits HNC growth via apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest, and suppression of oncogenic pathways, extending beyond Nrf2 activation.
  • Sulforaphane enhances the efficacy of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and photodynamic therapy in HNC models.
  • The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway is a key target modulated by sulforaphane.

Conclusions:

  • Sulforaphane exhibits promising anticancer properties against head and neck cancers through multiple molecular mechanisms.
  • It may serve as a valuable adjunct to conventional treatments, improving therapeutic outcomes.
  • Further clinical trials are essential to validate the translational potential of sulforaphane in HNC management.
Keywords:
Nrf2head and neck cancersulforaphane

Related Concept Videos

NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway02:26

NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway

The transcription factor NF-κB was discovered in 1986 in the lab of Nobel laureate Professor David Baltimore, for its interaction with the immunoglobulin light chain enhancer in B-cells. After more than three decades of study, it is now evident that NF-κB regulates the expression of over 100 genes. Most of these genes play an essential role in the innate and adaptive immune responses as well as the inflammatory responses of animals.
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
Cancer Prevention02:59

Cancer Prevention

Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...