Modulation of Cancer Metabolism by Phytochemicals - A Brief Overview

Title:Modulation of Cancer Metabolism by Phytochemicals - A Brief Overview

Volume: 18 Issue: 5

Author(s): Danina M. Muntean, Adrian Sturza*, Ioana Z. Pavel and Oana M. Duicu

Affiliation:

• Department of Functional Sciences-Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara,Romania

Keywords: Cancer, metabolic reprogramming, phytochemicals, triterpenes, cancer metabolism, chemoresistance.

Abstract: Despite tremendous research efforts for effective therapies, cancer remains the plague of the century and its burden is expected to increase worldwide in the near future. Metabolic reprogramming is a firmly established hallmark of all cancers, regardless of their cellular or tissue origin, being a prerequisite for both tumor growth and invasion. Functional dependence of tumors on glycolysis and glutaminolysis and the crucial contribution of mitochondria to the tumor bioenergetic versatility are well recognized features and established therapeutic targets. The complex landscape of tumor metabolism in the context of the dynamic, bidirectional crosstalk with its stromal environment is a rapidly evolving field that increasingly supports the view of cancer both as metabolic disease and a disease of impaired cellular 'communication'. Many of the approved anticancer drugs are derived from natural sources and the search of novel drug candidates is still a priority view the rapid development of chemoresistance. Phytochemicals are biologically active plant compounds with preventive and/or curative anticancer properties able to potentiate the effects of standard therapies while decreasing their toxicity via multitarget modulatory effects. The present mini-review will briefly summarize the hallmarks of metabolic reprogramming in tumor cells and the phytochemicals that have been reported to modulate the dysregulated metabolism of tumor and its environment, with special emphasis on triterpenes.

Cite this article as:

Muntean M. Danina , Sturza Adrian *, Pavel Z. Ioana and Duicu M. Oana, Modulation of Cancer Metabolism by Phytochemicals - A Brief Overview, Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2018; 18 (5) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871520617666171114102218