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Review

Targeting Breast Cancer Stem Cells Using Naturally Occurring Phytoestrogens

1
MD/PhD Program, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
2
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
3
Department of Cancer Biology, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(12), 6813; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23126813
Submission received: 8 March 2022 / Revised: 31 May 2022 / Accepted: 9 June 2022 / Published: 18 June 2022
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Endocrine Disruptors 2.0)

Abstract

Breast cancer therapies have made significant strides in improving survival for patients over the past decades. However, recurrence and drug resistance continue to challenge long-term recurrence-free and overall survival rates. Mounting evidence supports the cancer stem cell model in which the existence of a small population of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) within the tumor enables these cells to evade conventional therapies and repopulate the tumor, giving rise to more aggressive, recurrent tumors. Thus, successful breast cancer therapy would need to target these BCSCs, as well the tumor bulk cells. Since the Women’s Health Initiative study reported an increased risk of breast cancer with the use of conventional hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women, many have turned their attention to phytoestrogens as a natural alternative. Phytoestrogens are plant compounds that share structural similarities with human estrogens and can bind to the estrogen receptors to alter the endocrine responses. Recent studies have found that phytoestrogens can also target BCSCs and have the potential to complement conventional therapy eradicating BCSCs. This review summarized the latest findings of different phytoestrogens and their effect on BCSCs, along with their mechanisms of action, including selective estrogen receptor binding and inhibition of molecular pathways used by BCSCs. The latest results of phytoestrogens in clinical trials are also discussed to further evaluate the use of phytoestrogen in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer.
Keywords: breast cancer; cancer stem cells; phytoestrogens; genistein; resveratrol breast cancer; cancer stem cells; phytoestrogens; genistein; resveratrol

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Nguyen, M.; Osipo, C. Targeting Breast Cancer Stem Cells Using Naturally Occurring Phytoestrogens. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23, 6813. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23126813

AMA Style

Nguyen M, Osipo C. Targeting Breast Cancer Stem Cells Using Naturally Occurring Phytoestrogens. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2022; 23(12):6813. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23126813

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nguyen, Mai, and Clodia Osipo. 2022. "Targeting Breast Cancer Stem Cells Using Naturally Occurring Phytoestrogens" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 23, no. 12: 6813. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23126813

APA Style

Nguyen, M., & Osipo, C. (2022). Targeting Breast Cancer Stem Cells Using Naturally Occurring Phytoestrogens. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(12), 6813. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23126813

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