Regulation of dietary polyphenols on cancer cell pyroptosis and the tumor immune microenvironment

Abstract

Cancer is a major public health problem that threatens human life worldwide. In recent years, immunotherapy has made great progress in both clinical and laboratory research. But the high heterogeneity and dynamics of tumors makes immunotherapy not suitable for all cancers. Dietary polyphenols have attracted researchers' attention due to their ability to induce cancer cell pyroptosis and to regulate the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). This review expounds the regulation of dietary polyphenols and their new forms on cancer cell pyroptosis and the TIME. These dietary polyphenols include curcumin (CUR), resveratrol (RES), epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), apigenin, triptolide (TPL), kaempferol, genistein and moscatilin. New forms of dietary polyphenols refer to their synthetic analogs and nano-delivery, liposomes. Studies in the past decade are included. The result shows that dietary polyphenols induce pyroptosis in breast cancer cells, liver cancer cells, oral squamous cells, carcinoma cells, and other cancer cells through different pathways. Moreover, dietary polyphenols exhibit great potential in the TIME regulation by modulating the programmed cell death protein 1(PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) axis, enhancing antitumor immune cells, weakening the function and activity of immunosuppressive cells, and targeting tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) to reduce their tumor infiltration and promote their polarization toward the M1 type. Dietary polyphenols are also used with radiotherapy and chemotherapy to improve antitumor immunity and shape a beneficial TIME. In conclusion, dietary polyphenols induce cancer cell pyroptosis and regulate the TIME, providing new ideas for safer cancer cures.

Mechanism of Bazhen decoction in the treatment of colorectal cancer based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation

“…It can cause G2/M phase arrest and block cell death in colorectal cancer cells, preventing their proliferation ( 67 ). Furthermore, kaempferol can enhance the anti-tumor immune response, synergistically creating a favorable tumor immune microenvironment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy ( 68 ). Kaempferol can also enhance anti-tumor immune function by targeting multiple immune-related molecules ( 69 ).…”

Therapeutic Effects of Natural Products on Liver Cancer and Their Potential Mechanisms

“…Numerous studies suggest that consuming polyphenol-rich foods can help prevent and treat common chronic diseases [ 104 ]. Due to their potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, polyphenols exhibit a significant therapeutic effect on liver cancer [ 105 ]. The fruits of Terminalia bellirica possess various pharmacological activities.…”

Applications of Curcumin and Its Nanoforms in the Treatment of Cancer

“…Wistar male rats ( Rattus norvegicus ) treated with nanocurcumin showed a relatively increased expression of CD4+, CD8+, and CD28+ counts by 96.89, 51.11, and 12.50 %, respectively, as compared to the control group [ 114 ]. When the expression of Treg-mediated FOXP3 is decreased, anti-tumor immunity is stimulated [ 115 ]. The inhibitory function of Treg is also regulated by the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) that is constitutively expressed in Tregs [ 116 ].…”