Chemoprevention molecular and biochemical mechanisms involved in cancer control and management

Background: Cancer is a growing health problem around the world. Throughout history, natural products have been the most significant source of anticancer and chemopreventing agents. More than 1,000 different phytochemicals are already proved to possess interesting chemopreventing activities. Aim: To present a number of recent biochemical and molecular mechanisms, in relation to natural and synthetic chemopreventing substances for cancer control and management.Results: Vegetables and fruit are excellent sources of cancer-preventive substances. Natural products consist of a wide variety of biologically active phytochemicals including phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoids, etc. have been shown to suppress early and late stages of carcinogenesis. Effectiveness of chemopreventive agents reflects their ability to counteract certain upstream signals, such as NF-kB, β-catenin, etc. Furthermore, epigenetic modified agents, alone or in combination with conventional anticancer drugs may prove to be a significant advance over the conventional anticancer control. Conclusion: Chemoprevention by edible phytochemicals is nowadays considered to be an inexpensive, readily applicable, and accessible approach to cancer control and management. In addition, the promotion of awareness and consumption of phytochemicals as a cancer-preventive strategy would be cost-effective, within the health system.

Author(s): Karikas George

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