Targeting Transcription Factors and Oncogenic Proteins for Cancer Therapy

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Biology and Oncology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2020) | Viewed by 57522

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The activation of oncogenic transcription factors (NF-κB, STAT3, STAT5, AP-1, etc.) and proteins (Ras, Raf, Src, etc.) plays an important role in tumorigenesis. The mechanisms(s) regulating the activation of these transcription factors and proteins are complex and constantly evolving. The current issue will explore in detail the role of oncogenic transcription factors/proteins in carcinogenesis and highlight novel pharmacological strategies that can be evolved to target them and subsequently mitigate the processes of abnormal proliferation and survival of tumor cells.

Dr. Gautam Sethi
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • cancer;
  • transcription factors;
  • apoptosis;
  • oncogenes;
  • natural agents

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 3509 KiB  
Article
Ruxolitinib Combined with Gemcitabine against Cholangiocarcinoma Growth via the JAK2/STAT1/3/ALDH1A3 Pathway
by Shin-Yi Chung, Yi-Ping Hung, Yi-Ru Pan, Yu-Chan Chang, Chiao-En Wu, Dennis Shin-Shian Hsu, Peter Mu-Hsin Chang, Meng-Lun Lu, Chi-Ying F. Huang, Yeu Su, Michael Hsiao, Chun-Nan Yeh and Ming-Huang Chen
Biomedicines 2021, 9(8), 885; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines9080885 - 24 Jul 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3279
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma is the most common primary malignant tumor of the bile duct. The current standard first-line treatment for advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma is gemcitabine and cisplatin. However, few effective treatment choices exist for refractory cholangiocarcinoma, and additional therapeutic drugs are urgently required. Our [...] Read more.
Cholangiocarcinoma is the most common primary malignant tumor of the bile duct. The current standard first-line treatment for advanced or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma is gemcitabine and cisplatin. However, few effective treatment choices exist for refractory cholangiocarcinoma, and additional therapeutic drugs are urgently required. Our previous work demonstrated that the ALDH isoform 1A3 plays a vital role in the malignant behavior of cholangiocarcinoma and may serve as a new therapeutic target. In this study, we found a positive correlation between ALDH1A3 protein expression levels and the cell migration abilities of three cholangiocarcinoma cell lines, which was verified using ALDH1A3-overexpressing and ALDH1A3-knockdown clones. We also used ALDH1A3-high and ALDH1A3-low populations of cholangiocarcinoma cell lines from the library of integrated network-based cellular signatures (LINCS) program and assessed the effects of ruxolitinib, a commercially available JAK2 inhibitor. Ruxolitinib had a higher cytotoxic effect when combined with gemcitabine. Furthermore, the nuclear translocation STAT1 and STAT3 heterodimers were markedly diminished by ruxolitinib treatment, possibly resulting in decreased ALDH1A3 activation. Notably, ruxolitinib alone or combined with gemcitabine led to significantly reduced tumor size and weight. Collectively, our studies suggest that ruxolitinib might suppress the ALDH1A3 activation through the JAK2/STAT1/3 pathway in cholangiocarcinoma, and trials should be undertaken to evaluate its efficacy in clinical therapy. Full article
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23 pages, 8586 KiB  
Article
Novel 1,3,4-oxadiazole Targets STAT3 Signaling to Induce Antitumor Effect in Lung Cancer
by Vikas H. Malojirao, Swamy S. Girimanchanaika, Muthu K. Shanmugam, Ankith Sherapura, Dukanya, Prashant K. Metri, Vellingiri Vigneshwaran, Arunachalam Chinnathambi, Sulaiman Ali Alharbi, Shobith Rangappa, Chakrabhavi Dhananjaya Mohan, Basappa, Bettadathunga T. Prabhakar and Kanchugarakoppal S. Rangappa
Biomedicines 2020, 8(9), 368; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines8090368 - 21 Sep 2020
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3789
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading type of malignancy in terms of occurrence and mortality in the global context. STAT3 is an oncogenic transcription factor that is persistently activated in many types of human malignancies, including lung cancer. In the present report, new oxadiazole [...] Read more.
Lung cancer is the leading type of malignancy in terms of occurrence and mortality in the global context. STAT3 is an oncogenic transcription factor that is persistently activated in many types of human malignancies, including lung cancer. In the present report, new oxadiazole conjugated indazoles were synthesized and examined for their anticancer potential in a panel of cancer cell lines. Among the new compounds, 2-(3-(6-chloro-5-methylpyridin-3-yl)phenyl)-5-(1-methyl-1H-indazol-3-yl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (CHK9) showed consistently good cytotoxicity towards lung cancer cells with IC50 values ranging between 4.8–5.1 µM. The proapoptotic effect of CHK9 was further demonstrated by Annexin-FITC staining and TUNEL assay. In addition, the effect of CHK9 on the activation of STAT3 in lung cancer cells was examined. CHK9 reduced the phosphorylation of STAT3Y705 in a dose-dependent manner. CHK9 had no effect on the activation and expression of JAK2 and STAT5. It also reduced the STAT3-dependent luciferase reporter gene expression. CHK9 increased the expression of proapoptotic (p53 and Bax) proteins and decreased the expression of the antiapoptotic (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, BID, and ICAM-1) proteins. CHK9 displayed a significant reduction in the number of tumor nodules in the in vivo lung cancer model with suppression of STAT3 activation in tumor tissues. CHK9 did not show substantial toxicity in the normal murine model. Overall, CHK9 inhibits the growth of lung cancer cells and tumors by interfering with the STAT3 signaling pathway. Full article
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14 pages, 3612 KiB  
Article
Cinnamaldehyde and Hyperthermia Co-Treatment Synergistically Induces ROS-Mediated Apoptosis in ACHN Renal Cell Carcinoma Cells
by Chae Ryeong Ahn, Jinbong Park, Jai-Eun Kim, Kwang Seok Ahn, Young Woo Kim, Minjeong Jeong, Hong Jun Kim, Sun Hyang Park and Seung Ho Baek
Biomedicines 2020, 8(9), 357; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines8090357 - 17 Sep 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3139
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents the most common form of kidney cancer, which accounts for 3–5% newly diagnosed cancer cases. Since limited therapies are available for RCC, a search for new options is required. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the combination effect [...] Read more.
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents the most common form of kidney cancer, which accounts for 3–5% newly diagnosed cancer cases. Since limited therapies are available for RCC, a search for new options is required. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the combination effect of cinnamaldehyde (CNM) and hyperthermia treatment. CNM treatment combined with 43 °C hyperthermia synergistically increased cytotoxicity in RCC cell line ACHN cells. Through Western blot assays, we observed increased apoptosis signaling and decreased proliferation/metastasis signaling, along with a repressed heat shock protein 70 level. In flow cytometry analyses, CNM and hyperthermia combination clearly induced apoptosis and mitochondrial potential of ACHN cells, while arresting the cell cycle. Investigation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) suggested a significant increase of ROS generation by CNM and 43 °C hyperthermia co-treatment. We could verify that ROS is crucial in the apoptotic action of combination treatment with CNM and hyperthermia through further experiments regarding an ROS scavenger. Overall, we suggest CNM and hyperthermia combination treatment as an alternative option of anticancer strategies for RCC. Full article
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17 pages, 4186 KiB  
Article
Targeting NF-κB Signaling by Calebin A, a Compound of Turmeric, in Multicellular Tumor Microenvironment: Potential Role of Apoptosis Induction in CRC Cells
by Constanze Buhrmann, Parviz Shayan, Kishore Banik, Ajaikumar B. Kunnumakkara, Peter Kubatka, Lenka Koklesova and Mehdi Shakibaei
Biomedicines 2020, 8(8), 236; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines8080236 - 22 Jul 2020
Cited by 57 | Viewed by 5635
Abstract
Increasing lines of evidence suggest that chronic inflammation mediates most chronic diseases, including cancer. The transcription factor, NF-κB, has been shown to be a major regulator of inflammation and metastasis in tumor cells. Therefore, compounds or any natural agents that can inhibit NF-κB [...] Read more.
Increasing lines of evidence suggest that chronic inflammation mediates most chronic diseases, including cancer. The transcription factor, NF-κB, has been shown to be a major regulator of inflammation and metastasis in tumor cells. Therefore, compounds or any natural agents that can inhibit NF-κB activation have the potential to prevent and treat cancer. However, the mechanism by which Calebin A, a component of turmeric, regulates inflammation and disrupts the interaction between HCT116 colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and multicellular tumor microenvironment (TME) is still poorly understood. The 3D-alginate HCT116 cell cultures in TME were treated with Calebin A, BMS-345541, and dithiothreitol (DTT) and examined for invasiveness, proliferation, and apoptosis. The mechanism of TME-induced malignancy of cancer cells was confirmed by phase contrast, Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and DNA-binding assay. We found through DNA binding assay, that Calebin A inhibited TME-induced NF-κB activation in a dose-dependent manner. As a result of this inhibition, NF-κB phosphorylation and NF-κB nuclear translocation were down-modulated. Calebin A, or IκB-kinase (IKK) inhibitor (BMS-345541) significantly inhibited the direct interaction of nuclear p65 to DNA, and interestingly this interaction was reversed by DTT. Calebin A also suppressed the expression of NF-κB-promoted anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, survivin), proliferation (Cyclin D1), invasion (MMP-9), metastasis (CXCR4), and down-regulated apoptosis (Caspase-3) gene biomarkers, leading to apoptosis in HCT116 cells. These results suggest that Calebin A can suppress multicellular TME-promoted CRC cell invasion and malignancy by inhibiting the NF-κB-promoting inflammatory pathway associated with carcinogenesis, underlining the potential of Calebin A for CRC treatment. Full article
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Review

Jump to: Research

53 pages, 3062 KiB  
Review
The Role of Smoothened-Dependent and -Independent Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in Tumorigenesis
by Jian Yi Chai, Vaisnevee Sugumar, Mohammed Abdullah Alshawsh, Won Fen Wong, Aditya Arya, Pei Pei Chong and Chung Yeng Looi
Biomedicines 2021, 9(9), 1188; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines9091188 - 10 Sep 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5499
Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh)-glioma-associated oncogene homolog (GLI) signaling pathway is highly conserved among mammals, with crucial roles in regulating embryonic development as well as in cancer initiation and progression. The GLI transcription factors (GLI1, GLI2, and GLI3) are effectors of the Hh pathway and [...] Read more.
The Hedgehog (Hh)-glioma-associated oncogene homolog (GLI) signaling pathway is highly conserved among mammals, with crucial roles in regulating embryonic development as well as in cancer initiation and progression. The GLI transcription factors (GLI1, GLI2, and GLI3) are effectors of the Hh pathway and are regulated via Smoothened (SMO)-dependent and SMO-independent mechanisms. The SMO-dependent route involves the common Hh-PTCH-SMO axis, and mutations or transcriptional and epigenetic dysregulation at these levels lead to the constitutive activation of GLI transcription factors. Conversely, the SMO-independent route involves the SMO bypass regulation of GLI transcription factors by external signaling pathways and their interacting proteins or by epigenetic and transcriptional regulation of GLI transcription factors expression. Both routes of GLI activation, when dysregulated, have been heavily implicated in tumorigenesis of many known cancers, making them important targets for cancer treatment. Hence, this review describes the various SMO-dependent and SMO-independent routes of GLI regulation in the tumorigenesis of multiple cancers in order to provide a holistic view of the paradigms of hedgehog signaling networks involving GLI regulation. An in-depth understanding of the complex interplay between GLI and various signaling elements could help inspire new therapeutic breakthroughs for the treatment of Hh-GLI-dependent cancers in the future. Lastly, we have presented an up-to-date summary of the latest findings concerning the use of Hh inhibitors in clinical developmental studies and discussed the challenges, perspectives, and possible directions regarding the use of SMO/GLI inhibitors in clinical settings. Full article
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19 pages, 1808 KiB  
Review
The Role of Ras-Associated Protein 1 (Rap1) in Cancer: Bad Actor or Good Player?
by Chin-King Looi, Ling-Wei Hii, Siew Ching Ngai, Chee-Onn Leong and Chun-Wai Mai
Biomedicines 2020, 8(9), 334; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines8090334 - 7 Sep 2020
Cited by 52 | Viewed by 7021
Abstract
Metastasis is known as the most life-threatening event in cancer patients. In principle, the immune system can prevent tumor development. However, dysfunctional T cells may fail to eliminate the tumor cells effectively and provide additional survival advantages for tumor proliferation and metastasis. Constitutive [...] Read more.
Metastasis is known as the most life-threatening event in cancer patients. In principle, the immune system can prevent tumor development. However, dysfunctional T cells may fail to eliminate the tumor cells effectively and provide additional survival advantages for tumor proliferation and metastasis. Constitutive activation of Ras-associated protein1 (Rap1) has not only led to T cell anergy, but also inhibited autophagy and supported cancer progression through various oncogenic events. Inhibition of Rap1 activity with its negative regulator, Rap1GAP, impairs tumor progression. However, active Rap1 reduces tumor invasion in some cancers, indicating that the pleiotropic effects of Rap1 signaling in cancers could be cancer-specific. All in all, targeting Rap1 signaling and its regulators could potentially control carcinogenesis, metastasis, chemoresistance and immune evasion. Rap1GAP could be a promising therapeutic target in combating cancer. Full article
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20 pages, 1890 KiB  
Review
Involvement of STAT5 in Oncogenesis
by Clarissa Esmeralda Halim, Shuo Deng, Mei Shan Ong and Celestial T. Yap
Biomedicines 2020, 8(9), 316; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines8090316 - 28 Aug 2020
Cited by 44 | Viewed by 5818
Abstract
Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins, and in particular STAT3, have been established as heavily implicated in cancer. Recently, the involvement of STAT5 signalling in the pathology of cancer has been shown to be of increasing importance. STAT5 plays a crucial [...] Read more.
Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins, and in particular STAT3, have been established as heavily implicated in cancer. Recently, the involvement of STAT5 signalling in the pathology of cancer has been shown to be of increasing importance. STAT5 plays a crucial role in the development of the mammary gland and the homeostasis of the immune system. However, in various cancers, aberrant STAT5 signalling promotes the expression of target genes, such as cyclin D, Bcl-2 and MMP-2, that result in increased cell proliferation, survival and metastasis. To target constitutive STAT5 signalling in cancers, there are several STAT5 inhibitors that can prevent STAT5 phosphorylation, dimerisation, or its transcriptional activity. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) that target molecules upstream of STAT5 could also be utilised. Consequently, since STAT5 contributes to tumour aggressiveness and cancer progression, inhibiting STAT5 constitutive activation in cancers that rely on its signalling makes for a promising targeted treatment option. Full article
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28 pages, 1353 KiB  
Review
PTEN, a Barrier for Proliferation and Metastasis of Gastric Cancer Cells: From Molecular Pathways to Targeting and Regulation
by Milad Ashrafizadeh, Masoud Najafi, Hui Li Ang, Ebrahim Rahmani Moghadam, Mahmood Khaksary Mahabady, Amirhossein Zabolian, Leila Jafaripour, Atefe Kazemzade Bejandi, Kiavash Hushmandi, Hossein Saleki, Ali Zarrabi and Alan Prem Kumar
Biomedicines 2020, 8(8), 264; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines8080264 - 3 Aug 2020
Cited by 44 | Viewed by 4977
Abstract
Cancer is one of the life-threatening disorders that, in spite of excellent advances in medicine and technology, there is no effective cure for. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are extensively applied in cancer therapy, but their efficacy in eradication of cancer cells, suppressing metastasis, [...] Read more.
Cancer is one of the life-threatening disorders that, in spite of excellent advances in medicine and technology, there is no effective cure for. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are extensively applied in cancer therapy, but their efficacy in eradication of cancer cells, suppressing metastasis, and improving overall survival of patients is low. This is due to uncontrolled proliferation of cancer cells and their high migratory ability. Finding molecular pathways involved in malignant behavior of cancer cells can pave the road to effective cancer therapy. In the present review, we focus on phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) signaling as a tumor-suppressor molecular pathway in gastric cancer (GC). PTEN inhibits the PI3K/Akt pathway from interfering with the migration and growth of GC cells. Its activation leads to better survival of patients with GC. Different upstream mediators of PTEN in GC have been identified that can regulate PTEN in suppressing growth and invasion of GC cells, such as microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs. It seems that antitumor agents enhance the expression of PTEN in overcoming GC. This review focuses on aforementioned topics to provide a new insight into involvement of PTEN and its downstream and upstream mediators in GC. This will direct further studies for evaluation of novel signaling networks and their targeting for suppressing GC progression. Full article
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18 pages, 1247 KiB  
Review
Assessment of the Antitumor Potential of Umbelliprenin, a Naturally Occurring Sesquiterpene Coumarin
by Iram Shahzadi, Zain Ali, Seung Ho Baek, Bushra Mirza and Kwang Seok Ahn
Biomedicines 2020, 8(5), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines8050126 - 18 May 2020
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 4110
Abstract
Cancer is one of the greatest causes of mortality worldwide. The prevalence rates of different types of cancer is increasing around the world as well. Limitations in chemotherapy and radiotherapy, owing to multiple side effects including cytotoxic effects of antitumor compounds on normal [...] Read more.
Cancer is one of the greatest causes of mortality worldwide. The prevalence rates of different types of cancer is increasing around the world as well. Limitations in chemotherapy and radiotherapy, owing to multiple side effects including cytotoxic effects of antitumor compounds on normal cells as well as the development of resistance to these treatment options in patients, create a serious threat to successful treatment of cancer. The use of natural compounds to prevent and treat cancers has been found to be quite effective, with fewer adverse effects found in patients. Umbelliprenin (UMB) is a naturally occurring sesquiterpene compound found in Ferula species and recently in Artemisia absinthium. Many studies have highlighted the antitumor potential of UMB in different cancer cell lines as well as in animal models. UMB exerts its anticancer actions by regulating extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways; causing inhibition of the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase; and attenuating migration and invasion by modulating the Wnt signaling, NF-ĸB, TGFβ, and Fox3 signaling pathways. UMB also affects the key hallmarks of tumor cells by attenuating tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. This review provides an insight into the role of UMB as a potential antitumor drug for different malignancies and highlights the signaling cascades affected by UMB treatment in diverse tumor cell lines and preclinical models. Full article
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31 pages, 1734 KiB  
Review
Nobiletin in Cancer Therapy: How This Plant Derived-Natural Compound Targets Various Oncogene and Onco-Suppressor Pathways
by Milad Ashrafizadeh, Ali Zarrabi, Sedigheh Saberifar, Farid Hashemi, Kiavash Hushmandi, Fardin Hashemi, Ebrahim Rahmani Moghadam, Reza Mohammadinejad, Masoud Najafi and Manoj Garg
Biomedicines 2020, 8(5), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines8050110 - 5 May 2020
Cited by 50 | Viewed by 7408
Abstract
Cancer therapy is a growing field, and annually, a high number of research is performed to develop novel antitumor drugs. Attempts to find new antitumor drugs continue, since cancer cells are able to acquire resistance to conventional drugs. Natural chemicals can be considered [...] Read more.
Cancer therapy is a growing field, and annually, a high number of research is performed to develop novel antitumor drugs. Attempts to find new antitumor drugs continue, since cancer cells are able to acquire resistance to conventional drugs. Natural chemicals can be considered as promising candidates in the field of cancer therapy due to their multiple-targeting capability. The nobiletin (NOB) is a ubiquitous flavone isolated from Citrus fruits. The NOB has a variety of pharmacological activities, such as antidiabetes, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective. Among them, the antitumor activity of NOB has been under attention over recent years. In this review, we comprehensively describe the efficacy of NOB in cancer therapy. NOB induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in cancer cells. It can suppress migration and invasion of cancer cells via the inhibition of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and EMT-related factors such as TGF-β, ZEB, Slug, and Snail. Besides, NOB inhibits oncogene factors such as STAT3, NF-κB, Akt, PI3K, Wnt, and so on. Noteworthy, onco-suppressor factors such as microRNA-7 and -200b undergo upregulation by NOB in cancer therapy. These onco-suppressor and oncogene pathways and mechanisms are discussed in this review. Full article
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22 pages, 2565 KiB  
Review
Garcinol Exhibits Anti-Neoplastic Effects by Targeting Diverse Oncogenic Factors in Tumor Cells
by Vaishali Aggarwal, Hardeep Singh Tuli, Jagjit Kaur, Diwakar Aggarwal, Gaurav Parashar, Nidarshana Chaturvedi Parashar, Samruddhi Kulkarni, Ginpreet Kaur, Katrin Sak, Manoj Kumar and Kwang Seok Ahn
Biomedicines 2020, 8(5), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines8050103 - 30 Apr 2020
Cited by 60 | Viewed by 5868
Abstract
Garcinol, a polyisoprenylated benzophenone, is the medicinal component obtained from fruits and leaves of Garcinia indica (G. indica) and has traditionally been extensively used for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, it has been also been experimentally illustrated to elicit [...] Read more.
Garcinol, a polyisoprenylated benzophenone, is the medicinal component obtained from fruits and leaves of Garcinia indica (G. indica) and has traditionally been extensively used for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, it has been also been experimentally illustrated to elicit anti-cancer properties. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have illustrated the potential therapeutic efficiency of garcinol in management of different malignancies. It mainly acts as an inhibitor of cellular processes via regulation of transcription factors NF-κB and JAK/STAT3 in tumor cells and have been demonstrated to effectively inhibit growth of malignant cell population. Numerous studies have highlighted the anti-neoplastic potential of garcinol in different oncological transformations including colon cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, head and neck cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, etc. However, use of garcinol is still in its pre-clinical stage and this is mainly attributed to the limitations of conclusive evaluation of pharmacological parameters. This necessitates evaluation of garcinol pharmacokinetics to precisely identify an appropriate dose and route of administration, tolerability, and potency under physiological conditions along with characterization of a therapeutic index. Hence, the research is presently ongoing in the dimension of exploring the precise metabolic mechanism of garcinol. Despite various lacunae, garcinol has presented with promising anti-cancer effects. Hence, this review is motivated by the constantly emerging and promising positive anti-cancerous effects of garcinol. This review is the first effort to summarize the mechanism of action of garcinol in modulation of anti-cancer effect via regulation of different cellular processes. Full article
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