Polyphenolic Nutrients in Cancer Chemoprevention and Metastasis: Role of the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal (EMT) Pathway

Abstract

The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has received significant interest as a novel target in cancer prevention, metastasis, and resistance. The conversion of cells from an epithelial, adhesive state to a mesenchymal, motile state is one of the key events in the development of cancer metastasis. Polyphenols have been reported to be efficacious in the prevention of cancer and reversing cancer progression. Recently, the antimetastatic efficacy of polyphenols has been reported, thereby expanding the potential use of these compounds beyond chemoprevention. Polyphenols may affect EMT pathways, which are involved in cancer metastasis; for example, polyphenols increase the levels of epithelial markers, but downregulate the mesenchymal markers. Polyphenols also alter the level of expression and functionality of important proteins in other signaling pathways that control cellular mesenchymal characteristics. However, the specific proteins that are directly affected by polyphenols in these signaling pathways remain to be elucidated. The aim of this review is to analyze current evidence regarding the role of polyphenols in attenuating EMT-mediated cancer progression and metastasis. We also discuss the role of the most important polyphenol subclasses and members of the polyphenols in reversing metastasis and targeting EMT. Finally, limitations and future directions to improve our understanding in this field are discussed.

The Novel Thienopyrimidine Derivative, RP-010, Produces Its Efficacy in Prostate Cancer Cells by Inducing the Fragmentation of β-catenin

“…The loss of E-cadherin protein and upregulation of N-cadherin are important markers for the mesenchymal shift [70,71]. The Wnt/β-catenin-signaling cascade is predominantly involved in EMT progression [72]. RP-010 (1 and 2 µM) did not significantly alter the expression levels of either E-cadherin or N-cadherin.…”

Pharmacology Evaluation of Bioactive Compounds that Regulate Cervical Cancer Cells

“…Other compounds related with their oxidant capacity and ROS productions are listed in Table 1. The antioxidants that are most well-known, curcumin, resveratrol and gallic acid, have activity against cancer cell line in vitro [15,24,28,35]. For example, galangin is a flavonoid with various biological effects in different cancer cells [25].…”

Biochemical characterization of four different genotypes of Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) seeds

“…Antioxidants are the compounds functioning in the neutralization of free radicals and therefore a healthy organism should have enough antioxidant ingredients to protect its functionality. Due to their antioxidant properties, flax seeds have been linked to the prevention and treatment of hypercholesterolemia, diarrhea, cardiovascular disorders, diabetes and certain types of cancers especially breast and colon cancers (Prasad, 2000(Prasad, , 2009Wang et al, 2005;Amawi et al, 2017). However, considering the huge genetic variations in different genotypes of this plant in Turkey, there were a few reports about the phytochemical comparison of different genotypes of flaxseed cultivated in different areas of Mediterranean region.…”