Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Molecular Mechanisms, Bioavailability Challenges, and Therapeutic Perspectives

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Oncology
• Chemoprevention
• Mediterranean Diet

Background:

• Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), a staple of the Mediterranean diet, contains phenolic compounds with potential anticancer properties.
• Research interest is growing in EVOO's role in cancer, examining whole oil, enriched extracts, and isolated compounds like hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize current evidence on the anticancer effects of EVOO and its constituents.
• To assess the evidence across various cancer types, including breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers.

Main Methods:

• A structured narrative literature search was performed across major scientific databases (PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar).
• Studies published between 2015 and 2025 were reviewed, focusing on preclinical (cell culture, animal models) and human (observational, intervention) data.
• Evidence was evaluated for a range of common and less common cancer types.

Main Results:

• Preclinical studies demonstrate that EVOO phenolics exhibit anticancer activity via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction, and anti-metastasis mechanisms.
• Specific compounds like oleocanthal and hydroxytyrosol show distinct pro-apoptotic effects.
• Human evidence is limited, primarily consisting of observational dietary associations and small exploratory trials, with no conclusive proof of cancer prevention or therapeutic efficacy.

Conclusions:

• Isolated EVOO phenolics display promising anticancer mechanisms in preclinical settings.
• Direct extrapolation of these findings to dietary EVOO consumption in humans is not currently supported due to differences in dosage, bioavailability, and metabolism.
• Further well-designed human trials using chemically characterized EVOO are necessary to establish clinical recommendations.