Phytotherapeutics in cancer invasion and metastasis

Salehi, Bahare;Zucca, Paolo;Sharifi-Rad, Mehdi;Pezzani, Raffaele;Rajabi, Sadegh;Setzer, William N.;Varoni, Elena Maria;Iriti, Marcello;Kobarfard, Farzad;Sharifi-Rad, Javad

2018-01-01

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Abstract

Cancer is a multifactorial disease, and therefore, a multitarget approach is needed to face the complex cancer biology, based on the combined use of different natural and synthetic anticancer agents able to target synergistically multiple signaling pathways involved in carcinogenesis, including angiogenesis and metastasis. In this view, the plant kingdom represents an unlimited source of phytotherapeutics with promising perspectives in the field of anticancer drug discovery. This narrative review aims to provide an updated overview on the bioactive phytochemicals exhibiting a promising potential as adjuvants in conventional anticancer therapies, with emphasis on antiangiogenic and antimetastatic activities.