Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) constitute a subpopulation of tumor cells that possess self-renewal and tumor initiation capacity, and the ability to give rise to the heterogeneous lineages of cancer cells that comprise the tumor. CSCs exhibit intrinsic mechanisms of resistance to virtually all conventional cancer therapeutics, allowing them to survive current cancer therapies and to initiate tumor recurrence and metastasis. Different pathways and mechanisms that confer resistance and survival of CSCs, including activation of the Wnt/β- catenin, Sonic Hedgehog, Notch, PI3K/Akt/mTOR and STAT3 signaling pathways, expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) and oncogenic microRNAs, and acquisition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), have been identified recently. Certain phytochemicals, in particular curcumin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), sulforaphane, resveratrol and genistein have been shown to interfere with these intrinsic CSC pathways in vitro and in human xenograft mice, leading to elimination of CSCs. Moreover, recent clinical trials have demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of five phytochemicals, alone or in combination with modern cancer therapeutics, and in various types of cancer. Since current cancer therapies fail to eradicate CSCs, leading to cancer recurrence and progression, targeting of CSCs with phytochemicals such as curcumin, EGCG, sulforaphane, resveratrol and genistein, combined with each other and/or in combination with conventional cytotoxic drugs and novel cancer therapeutics, may offer a novel therapeutic strategy against cancer.
Keywords: Curcumin, EGCG, sulforaphane, resveratrol, genistein, phytochemicals, cancer stem cells.
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title:The “Big Five” Phytochemicals Targeting Cancer Stem Cells: Curcumin, EGCG, Sulforaphane, Resveratrol and Genistein
Volume: 28 Issue: 22
Author(s): Cord Naujokat*Dwight L. McKee
Affiliation:
- Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 305, D-69120 Heidelberg,Germany
Keywords: Curcumin, EGCG, sulforaphane, resveratrol, genistein, phytochemicals, cancer stem cells.
Abstract: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) constitute a subpopulation of tumor cells that possess self-renewal and tumor initiation capacity, and the ability to give rise to the heterogeneous lineages of cancer cells that comprise the tumor. CSCs exhibit intrinsic mechanisms of resistance to virtually all conventional cancer therapeutics, allowing them to survive current cancer therapies and to initiate tumor recurrence and metastasis. Different pathways and mechanisms that confer resistance and survival of CSCs, including activation of the Wnt/β- catenin, Sonic Hedgehog, Notch, PI3K/Akt/mTOR and STAT3 signaling pathways, expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) and oncogenic microRNAs, and acquisition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), have been identified recently. Certain phytochemicals, in particular curcumin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), sulforaphane, resveratrol and genistein have been shown to interfere with these intrinsic CSC pathways in vitro and in human xenograft mice, leading to elimination of CSCs. Moreover, recent clinical trials have demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of five phytochemicals, alone or in combination with modern cancer therapeutics, and in various types of cancer. Since current cancer therapies fail to eradicate CSCs, leading to cancer recurrence and progression, targeting of CSCs with phytochemicals such as curcumin, EGCG, sulforaphane, resveratrol and genistein, combined with each other and/or in combination with conventional cytotoxic drugs and novel cancer therapeutics, may offer a novel therapeutic strategy against cancer.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Naujokat Cord *, McKee L. Dwight , The “Big Five” Phytochemicals Targeting Cancer Stem Cells: Curcumin, EGCG, Sulforaphane, Resveratrol and Genistein, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2021; 28 (22) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867327666200228110738
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929867327666200228110738 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Yeast Genomics and Drug Target Identification
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Patented Aptamers for C-Reactive Protein Detection: A Review About their Use in Clinical Diagnostics
Recent Patents on DNA & Gene Sequences Synthesis of Novel Pyridine Bearing Biologically Active Imidiazolyl, Pyrazolyl, Oxa/thiadiazolyl and Urea Derivatives as Promising Anticancer Agents
Current Organic Synthesis Targeting Folate Metabolism in the Human Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum
Current Enzyme Inhibition Emerging Synergisms Between Drugs and Physiologically-Patterned Weak Magnetic Fields: Implications for Neuropharmacology and the Human Population in the Twenty-First Century
Current Neuropharmacology GABAA Receptor Channel Pharmacology
Current Pharmaceutical Design Electrochemical Biosensors for the Determination of the Antioxidant Capacity in Foods and Beverages Based on Reactive Oxygen Species
Current Analytical Chemistry Impact of CYP2D6 Genetic Variation on the Response of the Cardiovascular Patient to Carvedilol and Metoprolol
Current Drug Metabolism Emergence of Functionalized Nanomedicines in Cancer Chemotherapy: Recent Advancements, Current Challenges and Toxicity Considerations
Recent Patents on Nanomedicine Flavonoids and Dementia: An Update
Current Medicinal Chemistry Chemoinfectomics in Drug Design and Development
Anti-Infective Agents Ruthenium Complexes as Anticancer Agents
Current Medicinal Chemistry Natural Compounds and Plant Extracts as Therapeutics Against Chronic Inflammation in Alzheimer's Disease - A Translational Perspective
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets A Microextraction Liquid-Chromatographic Determination of Aristolochic Acid I in Urine, Flour, and Aristolochiaceae Fruit
Current Pharmaceutical Analysis Particulate Systems Based on Poly(Lactic-co-Glycolic)Acid (pLGA) for Immunotherapy of Cancer
Current Pharmaceutical Design Application of Sugar-Base Anhydro Bridge for Modification of Nucleosides in the 2’- and/or 3’-Positions - Revisited
Current Organic Chemistry Design of Magnetic Nanoparticles-Assisted Drug Delivery System
Current Pharmaceutical Design Improvement of Phytonutrients and Antioxidant Properties of Wheat Bran by Yeast Fermentation
Current Nutrition & Food Science Synthesis of Novel Steroid Derivatives Derived from Dehydroepiandrosterone as Potential Anticancer Agents
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Design and In vitro Validation of Multivalent Dendrimer Methotrexates as a Folate-targeting Anticancer Therapeutic
Current Pharmaceutical Design