Role of phytoestrogens in modulating breast carcinoma cells

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in India and the second most common cancer in the world. It is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women. Clinically, breast tumors can be classified on the basis of hormone receptor status; with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) cancers occurring thrice more often than ER negative (ER ) cancers. Categorizing breast tumors based on the ER, progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) statuses is necessary for predicting the outcome and assisting in the management of breast cancer. Triple-negative breast cancers (ER-, PR-, HER2-) show a partial response to chemotherapy and with the present lack of clinically established targeted therapies, have a poor prognosis. The systemic agents are active at the beginning of therapy, however over a period of time as progression occurs, the resistance to therapy develops. Besides, these therapies show side effects such as mild dizziness, nausea, loss of fertility and incidence of secondary cancer. In order to overcome the problems such as non-selective cytotoxicity and chemoresistance associated with conventional treatment strategies as well as the inherent prosurvival mechanisms of cancer cells, the development of alternative treatment strategies or supplementation to existing treatment is necessary. One such therapy is chemosensitization of cancer cells by plant polyphenols. newlinePhenolic compounds are essentially plant secondary metabolites, ranging from simple phenolic acids to complex polyphenols like tannins. Their functions in plants are related to defence against radiation, pathogens, predators and parasites as well as for imparting colours to the plant parts. Chemically, they are compounds with phenolic structural features, namely, one or more aromatic ring and one or more hydroxyl groups.