Phytochemicals: Current strategies for treating breast cancer (Review)

Abstract

Females with early-stage metastatic, estrogen-dependent breast cancer are generally treated with surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, or with more targeted approaches such as aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole or letrozole) or anti-estrogens (tamoxifen). Despite widespread successful usage of these agents for the treatment of breast cancer, resistance, tumor relapse and metastasis remain the principal causes of mortality for patients with breast cancer. While numerous groups have made major contributions toward an improved understanding of resistance mechanisms, the currently insufficient grasp of the most critical pathways involved in resistance is evident in the inability to adequately treat and drastically improve patient outcomes in females with hormone-refractory breast cancer, including triple negative breast cancer. Therefore, further investigation of novel therapeutic approaches is paramount to reveal previously unconsidered agents that could be utilized to treat metastatic disease. Numerous naturally occurring phytochemicals have recently gained interest as potential therapeutic breast cancer agents appear to directly affect estrogen-dependent and estrogen-independent breast cancer cell proliferation, potentially via affecting breast cancer stem cell populations. While numerous natural compounds have exhibited promise, they are limited by their bioavailability. Therefore, to effectively treat future hormone-refractory breast tumors, it is critical to adequately refine and formulate these agents for effective therapeutic use and delivery. Herein, the literature on the current state of phytochemicals is reviewed, including their limitations and potential as targeted therapies for breast cancer.

Ecotropic virus integration‑1 and calreticulin as novel prognostic markers in triple‑negative breast cancer: A retrospective cohort study

“…Several predictive biomarkers in TNBC, including the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), androgen receptor and the adhesion molecules CD24 and CD44, have been investigated in recent years (28–31). To the best of the authors' knowledge, the prognostic value of the expression levels of CRT and EVI-1 in TNBC is unknown.…”

Prevention of Breast Cancer by Natural Phytochemicals: Focusing on Molecular Targets and Combinational Strategy

“…In this context, the combination of phytochemicals and clinically therapeutic approaches appears to be a promising strategy because of the exhibition of pharmacological safety, tolerability, chemosensitization, and radiosensitization for therapeutic interventions. However, the most biological limitation and also the major hurdle on the use of either phytochemicals or drugs is related to its extremely poor oral bioavailability, low aqueous solubility, instability, and the metabolic differences between animals and humans in pharmaceutical applications . Therefore, prior to proceeding for clinical trials, the proposed mode of action and proof of concept, bioavailability, and solubility will need to be validated in future by using more in vivo or clinical studies via development of available drug delivery systems.…”

miR‑653‑5p suppresses the growth and migration of breast cancer cells by targeting MAPK6

“…Breast cancer, which is one of the most prevalent and aggressive malignancies, is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide ( 1 , 2 ). Tumor metastasis is associated with the high mortality rates in patients with breast cancer ( 3 ).…”