review · Food Science & Nutrition
Isoflavones show significant potential to eliminate cancer cells across several organs, including the stomach, liver, lung, breast, prostate, and colon. Their anticancer effects stem from blocking specific signalling pathways, such as MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and halting cancer cell division. In prostate cancer, isoflavones obstruct the androgen receptor required for tumour growth. In lung cancer, they trigger the caspase cascade and halt new protein production. In colon cancer, they induce cell death during the G2/M cycle phase and alter key proteins, specifically cyclin B1 and CDK2. While preclinical evidence consistently demonstrates tumour suppression, human clinical trials report mixed outcomes. These variations arise from poor solubility, varied human metabolism, and differing doses, meaning that further large-scale controlled trials and strategies to improve bioavailability are necessary.
Cancer remains a leading health challenge globally, driving interest in natural compounds that can prevent or treat tumours. Isoflavones can halt tumour cell division and promote cancer cell death through several cellular targets. Overcoming challenges linked to how the human body absorbs and processes these compounds could help establish reliable, plant-derived options to complement existing cancer treatments.
This research points to potential applications in complementary cancer therapies or supportive oncology therapeutics for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical developers. The findings sit at an early to translational stage. While biological mechanisms are identified and preclinical efficacy is documented, commercial products require overcoming barriers around low solubility and variable human bioavailability through novel formulations, followed by validation in large-scale controlled clinical trials.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
Isoflavones are currently being investigated by researchers in order to demonstrate their ability to prevent the proliferation of cancer cells. The current review aimed to demonstrate the potential of isoflavones to eliminate cancerous cells in the stomach, liver, lung, breast, and prostate, as their anticancer properties are due to the ability to block the signaling pathways of the extracellular signal-controlled kinase (MAPK/ERK) and proteasome (PI3K/AKT/mTOR). Isoflavones can inhibit the cell division of various cancer cells. Isoflavones can block the androgen receptor (AR), a protein that is required for the growth and dissemination of prostate cancer. It initiates the caspase cascade and obstructs the production of new proteins to eliminate lung cancer cells. These inhibit colon cancer cells by entering their G2/M cell cycle phase and inducing apoptosis. These are also known to inhibit the production of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 and cyclin B1, two proteins that are related to an enhanced risk of colon cancer. These suppress the breakdown of cyclin B1 and CDK2 to stop the development of cancer. Preclinical evidence consistently supports the efficacy of isoflavones in suppressing tumor growth; however, human clinical trials show variability due to differences in bioavailability, metabolism, and dosage. Despite their promise as alternative or adjunctive cancer therapies, limitations such as low solubility, interindividual metabolic variations, and inconsistent clinical outcomes necessitate further large-scale, controlled trials. Future research should focus on improving bioavailability and exploring synergistic effects with conventional therapies.
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DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.70091
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