Cancer Chemoprevention: Classic and Epigenetic Mechanisms Inhibiting Tumorigenesis. What Have We Learned So Far?

Author(s)

Machado de Melo, Fabiana Henriques ^[1] ; Oliveira, Julia Salles ^[1] ; Bressani Sartorelli, Viviani Olivastro ^[1] ; Montor, Wagner Ricardo ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Santa Casa Sao Paulo Sch Med Sci FCMSCSP, Dept Physiol Sci, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY; v. 8, DEC 21 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 5

Abstract

Cancers derive from step by step processes which are differentiated by the progressively accumulated mutations. For some tumors there is a clear progressive advancement from benign lesions to malignancy and for these, preventive screening programs exist. In such cases having those benign lesions are a clear indicator of predisposition while for some other cases, familial patterns of cancer incidence and the identification of mutations are the main indicators of higher risk for having the disease. For patients identified as having predisposition, chemoprevention is a goal and in some cases a possibility. Chemoprevention is the use of any compound, either natural or synthetic that abrogates carcinogenesis or tumor progression, through different mechanisms, some of which have already been described. For example, the classic mechanisms may involve activation of free radical scavenging enzymes, control of chronic inflammation, and downregulation of specific signaling pathways. More recently, epigenetics allowed further understanding of the chemopreventive potential of several agents, such as sulforaphane, green tea derived compounds, resveratrol, isoflavones, and others which we exploit in this review article. Throughout the text we discuss the properties compounds should have in order to be classified as chemopreventive ones and the challenges in translational research in this area, as lots of the success achieved in vitro cannot be translated into the clinical settings, due to several different drawbacks, which include toxicity, cost, dose definition, patient adherence, and regimen of use. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/17986-7 - Investigation of the effect of Synadenium grantii on the inhibition of breast cancer cells proliferation
• Grantee: Julia Salles Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 17/04352-0 - Contribution of the interaction between caveolin-1 and the enzymes GTP cyclohydrolase I and nitric oxide synthase along melanoma progression
• Grantee: Fabiana Henriques Machado de Melo
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants