Breast Cancer and Flavonoids as Treatment Strategy

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer type among women. Despite recent progress in early detection and therapeutic strategies, the rate of mortality is increasing. Antiestrogens or aromatase inhibitors are preferred to treat the women diagnosed with estrogen-receptor (ER) positive tumors. However, breast tumors usually show intra-tumoral heterogeneity with ER-positive and-negative cells. The advanced breast cancer cells lose the estrogen responsiveness and become aggressive by developing new strategies for rapid proliferation such as mutations in cell cycle machinery. New promising drugs are still being investigating against these types of tumors especially to overcome acquired resistance against chemotherapeutic drugs; however, a successful treatment for metastatic tumors is still unclear. Flavonoids, with various pharmacological activities, are plant or fungus secondary metabolites present in human diet. In plants, beside their role in pigmentation, they may also act as messengers, regulators and cell cycle inhibitors. Therefore, they are being tested in ovarian, cervical as well as breast cancer. Due to the positive correlation between flavonoids-rich diet and lower risk of cancer, flavonoids are referred as chemopreventive agents. The current chapter emphasizes the therapeutic potential of flavonoids and their synthetic analogues as anti-cancer agents in breast cancer providing new insights into the molecular mechanisms.

Anti-estrogenic and anti-aromatase activities of citrus peels major compounds in breast cancer

“…Citrus fruits as well as their peels are excellent sources of flavonoids such as hesperetin, naringenin, quercetin, and diosmin among others which are known to possess different biological activities and numerous health benefits 36 . On the other hand, flavonoids were found to interact with different genes and key enzymes involved in cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, angiogenesis and multidrug resistance and hence, they were studied for their chemo-preventive as well as chemotherapeutic potential in cancer 37 , 38 .…”

Impacting the Remedial Potential of Nano Delivery-Based Flavonoids for Breast Cancer Treatment

“…Cancer is a multistage disorder which includes environmental, physical, genetic, chemical, and metabolic factors. A diet high in vegetables and fruits which are rich in antioxidants decreases the chances of many types of cancers, with antioxidants suggested to be efficacious [ 86 ]. Chances of developing breast cancer affected by non-adaptable factors which include genotype and age, and adaptable factors such as alcohol consumption, occupational exposure, smoking, and nutrition [ 87 ].…”

Study of Selected Flavonoid Structures and Their Potential Activity as Breast Anticancer Agents

“…Breast cancers typically exhibit intra-tumoral heterogeneity, with ER-positive and ER-negative cells, and it is recommended to treat women with ER-positive tumors with anti-estrogens or aromatase inhibitors. 13 The association between flavonoid intake and breast cancer may greatly affect risk menopausal and estrogen-receptor (ER) status. However, the link between soy isoflavone consumption and a lower risk of breast cancer incidence was greater in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women.…”