Abstract:
Phytotherapeutic and nutraceutical strategies are gaining increasing prominence as complementary approaches in cancer management, offering mechanisms that include redox modulation, regulation of the cell cycle, induction of apoptosis, and interference with key proliferative pathways (1). This report integrates evidence from natural marine, plant, and fungal compounds, alongside innovative platforms such as oncolytic virotherapy, highlighting their potential connections with anti-cancer nutrition (2).
Fucoxanthin: A xanthophyll from brown algae, exhibits antioxidant and pro-apoptotic properties and inhibits the PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis in chronic myeloid leukemia cells, suggesting potential nutraceutical applications in combination with targeted therapies.
Epipyrone A: A polyketide pigment from Epicoccum nigrum, shows antiproliferative and anti-migratory effects in canine mammary tumor models, modulating the redox balance and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR network in a cell-context-dependent manner.
In parallel, Capsaicin, a dietary alkaloid from chili peppers widely investigated in nutritional sciences, reduces proliferation, migration, and invasion in various mesothelioma cell lines, inhibiting AKT and ERK1/2 and demonstrating activity even in chemoresistant phenotypes. Complementing these natural approaches, the oncolytic virotherapy based on Caprine herpesvirus 1 (CpHV1) shows selectivity toward breast cancer and mesothelioma cells and synergy with targeted agents across subtypes.
Collectively, the integration of nutraceutical compounds and biotechnological innovations underscores the potential role of functional nutrition as a bridge between tradition and innovation in cancer prevention and therapeutic support. These findings open perspectives for rational and personalized combination strategies that may enhance treatment sensitivity and address resistance in challenging oncological contexts.
