Natural Products as less toxic Antitumoral/Antiangiogenic Agents compared to Synthetic Conventional Chemotherapy

Natural products can be isolated from several biological sources, such as plants, fungi, animals, plant cell cultures, among others. Additionally, they can have several pharmacological activities and uses, such as being used as antitumoral and antiangiogenic agents. There is a huge interest in antiangiogenic substances. They can reduce tumor growth and the subsequent metastatic process by decreasing tumor cells’ nutrient and oxygen levels, and block its spread preventing the formation of new blood vessels that contribute to the colonization of distant tissues. A high percentage of drugs are derived from natural products, however, many of them have not reached approbation for treating cancer by European Medicines Agency (EMA) in Europe or national regulatory authorities of regional reference (NRAr) in the Americas. It has been shown that treatment using natural products with antitumoral and antiangiogenic properties are less toxic to human cells especially compared to the conventional clinical chemotherapy and radiotherapy. They can also be metabolized easily compared to synthetic drugs. The major challenge is the lack of scientific evidence to support their approbation in addition to those that could complement their traditional use with new biotechnologies. Thus, there is the need to explore these treatments as they can directly target specific cancers as well as the potential for improved therapeutic efficacies with reduced toxicities.

This Research Topic aims to highlight research on natural products specifically compounds including; terpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids and phytoestrogen and their cancer preventive characteristics. We ask authors to sufficiently detail the composition, stability, antiangiogenic potential and/or antitumoral action of these biomolecules. Research may include natural products derived from biological sources with some chemical modifications. Antitumoral modalities of natural products can be demonstrated using in-vivo models. This must be supported in at least two well-authenticated cancer cell lines (ideally originating from distinct organs/tissues). Submissions dealing with antiangiogenic potential must describe the mechanism of action and molecular targets (factors, cytokines, receptors, signaling pathway), besides their chemical structure class. Areas of interest for this Topic include:
- Scientific evidence in vitro and/or in vivo or pre-clinical studies which attracts pharmaceutical interest.
- Research which promotes large scale development relevant for clinical cancer treatment protocols such as single drug or in combination with other drugs or antitumor strategies, such as immunotherapy
- Studies focusing on statistical analysis (not epidemiological) referring to the traditional use of natural compounds in a given region as a preventive factor in the face of cancer development.