Terpenoids and breast cancer chemoprevention.

Title

Terpenoids and breast cancer chemoprevention.

Creator

Rabi Thangaiyan; Bishayee Anupam

Publisher

Breast cancer research and treatment

Date

2009
2009-05

Description

Cancer chemoprevention is defined as the use of natural or synthetic agents that reverse, suppress or arrest carcinogenic and/or malignant phenotype progression towards invasive cancer. Phytochemicals obtained from vegetables, fruits, spices, herbs and medicinal plants, such as terpenoids, carotenoids, flavanoids, phenolic compounds, and other groups of compounds have shown promise in suppressing experimental carcinogenesis in various organs. Recent studies have indicated that mechanisms underlying chemopreventive action may include combinations of anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune-enhancing, and anti-hormone effects. Further, modification of drug-metabolizing enzymes, and influences on cell cycling and differentiation, induction of apoptosis, and suppression of proliferation and angiogenesis that play a role in the initiation and secondary modification of neoplastic development, have also been under investigation as possible mechanisms. This review will highlight the biological effects of terpenoids as chemopreventive agents on breast epithelial carcinogenesis, and the utility of intermediate biomarkers as indicators of premalignancy. Selected breast chemoprevention trials are discussed with a focus on strategies for trial design, and clinical outcomes. Future directions in the field of chemoprevention are proposed based on recently acquired mechanistic insights into breast carcinogenesis.

Subject

Animals; Anticarcinogenic Agents/therapeutic use; Breast Neoplasms/*prevention & control; Chemoprevention; Female; Humans; Terpenes/*therapeutic use

Rights

Article information provided for research and reference use only. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).

Pages

223–239

Issue

2

Volume

115

Citation

Rabi Thangaiyan; Bishayee Anupam, “Terpenoids and breast cancer chemoprevention.,” NEOMED Bibliography Database, accessed October 12, 2024, https://neomed.omeka.net/items/show/3224.