Involvement of NRF2 in Breast Cancer and Possible Therapeutical Role of Polyphenols and Melatonin.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to review the potential role of melatonin as an NRF2 modulator in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer, focusing on its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Results Summary
The study suggests melatonin may play a beneficial role in breast cancer prevention and treatment by modulating NRF2, which regulates oxidative stress and inflammation, though overactivation of NRF2 could lead to chemoresistance.
Population
Women with or at risk of breast cancer (theoretical review, not a specific clinical population).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NRF2 modulation | neutral | prevention and treatment of cancer | - | - | seems to be a promising approach | #1 |
NRF2 | neutral | breast cancer prevention | - | - | considered to be beneficial | #2 |
NRF2 overactivation | neutral | breast cancer therapy | - | - | may lead to a negative clinical impact | #3 |
melatonin and polyphenols | neutral | prevention and treatment of cancer | - | - | suggested to play an important role | #4 |
NRF2 activation | neutral | cancer prevention and treatment | - | - | reported as a possible underlying mechanism | #5 |
Oxidative stress is defined as a disturbance in the prooxidant/antioxidant balance in favor of the former and a loss of control over redox signaling processes, leading to potential biomolecular damage. It is involved in the etiology of many diseases, varying from diabetes to neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a transcription factor and reported as one of the most important oxidative stress regulators. Due to its regulatory role in the expression of numerous cytoprotective genes involved in the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses, the modulation of NRF2 seems to be a promising approach in the prevention and treatment of cancer. Breast cancer is the prevalent type of tumor in women and is the leading cause of death among female cancers. Oxidative stress-related mechanisms are known to be involved in breast cancer, and therefore, NRF2 is considered to be beneficial in its prevention. However, its overactivation may lead to a negative clinical impact on breast cancer therapy by causing chemoresistance. Some known "oxidative stress modulators", such as melatonin and polyphenols, are suggested to play an important role in the prevention and treatment of cancer, where the activation of NRF2 is reported as a possible underlying mechanism. In the present review, the potential involvement of oxidative stress and NRF2 in breast cancer will be reviewed, and the role of the NRF2 modulators-namely, polyphenols and melatonin-in the treatment of breast cancer will be discussed.