Developing phytoestrogens for breast cancer prevention

Anticancer Agents Med Chem. 2012 Dec;12(10):1306-13. doi: 10.2174/187152012803833062.

Abstract

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women, and is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Chemoprevention using phytoestrogens (PEs) for breast cancer may be a valid strategy. PEs are phytochemicals with estrogen-like structures and can be classified into four types: isoflavones, lignans, stilbenes and coumestans. They are widely distributed in diet and herbs and have shown anti-cancer activity via mechanisms including estrogen receptor modulation, aromatase inhibition, and anti-angiogenesis. Genistein, daidzein and resveratrol are some of the most studied PE examples. Quality control in product manufacturing and clinical study design is a critical issue in developing them as clinically effective chemopreventive agents for breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / adverse effects
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / chemistry
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / pharmacology
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Breast Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Drug Discovery / methods*
  • Drug Discovery / trends
  • Estrogen Receptor Modulators / adverse effects
  • Estrogen Receptor Modulators / chemistry
  • Estrogen Receptor Modulators / pharmacology
  • Estrogen Receptor Modulators / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Phytoestrogens / adverse effects
  • Phytoestrogens / chemistry
  • Phytoestrogens / pharmacology
  • Phytoestrogens / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Anticarcinogenic Agents
  • Estrogen Receptor Modulators
  • Phytoestrogens