Nutrition Reviews

Some Polyphenolic Compounds as Potential Therapeutic Agents in Cervical Cancer: The Most Recent Advances and Future Prospects

Abstract The leading causes of cancer include gradual changes in regulatory proteins, dysregulated cell-signaling pathways, dysfunction of apoptosis, and oxidative stress. Consuming polyphenols from food sources has been proven to have strong connections with ameliorating specific physiological biomarkers along with other elements concerning cancer. Recent studies have focused on polyphenols’ molecular mechanisms of action and anticancer and chemopreventive properties and effects in the treatment of different types of cancer. Polyphenols participate in the regulation of numerous cellular mechanisms alongside signaling pathways through their effects on inflammation, cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and partially via epigenetic alterations in cervical cancer. A number of animal models and cell and human studies have indicated the use of polyphenols to be safe and tolerable. Thus, it would be fair to state that, with their advantages vis-à-vis lack of toxicity, cost, and access, and with the positive clinical results, polyphenols have a potential to make a difference in cancer treatment. The present review examined the chemical and physical properties, analogs, metabolites, and mechanisms of physiological activities of various polyphenols and how they may affect the incidence rate and management of cervical cancer. Therefore, this review constitutes a starting point to examine the potential applications for cervical cancer.

Unveiling the Effects of Cruciferous Vegetable Intake on Different Cancers: A Systematic Review and Dose–Response Meta-analysis

Abstract Context Epidemiological studies indicated that cruciferous vegetable intake is associated with positive health outcomes. However, the role of cruciferous vegetables may have differential impacts on various cancers. Objective This meta-analysis aims to review recent epidemiological studies on the link between cruciferous vegetables and various cancers. It seeks to identify the optimal intake dose and timing of cruciferous vegetables influencing their association with cancer risk. Data Sources Studies on cruciferous vegetables and cancer were searched in PubMed, NCBI, Web of Science, and Elsevier databases from 1978 to June 2023. Data Extraction Extracted data from 226 relevant case-control and cohort studies were expressed by standardized mean difference and 95% CI, followed by the subgroup analysis to eliminate heterogeneity. Results Intake of cruciferous vegetables can prevent cancers, with an odds ratio of 0.77 and risk ratio (RR) of 0.96. The intake levels of cruciferous vegetables associated with the risk of colorectal cancer, lung cancer, upper gastrointestinal cancer, gynecological cancer (ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer), bladder cancer, renal cancer, and prostate cancer were found to be 5.41 servings/week, 5.41 servings/week, 5.5 servings/week, 7.4 servings/week, 5.5 servings/week, 4.85 servings/week, and 3 servings/week, respectively. In a cohort followed for 2 to 15 years, limited consumption of cruciferous vegetables was correlated with a higher cancer RR. In the Asian population, cruciferous vegetables had a significant relationship with lung cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and esophageal cancer. Conversely, cruciferous vegetables are predominantly associated with colorectal, renal, gynecological, and prostate cancer in the American population. Conclusion This study highlights the complex link between cruciferous vegetables and cancer, influenced by factors such as cancer type, region, intake level, and follow-up duration.

Influence of physical activity at a young age and lifetime physical activity on the risks of 3 obesity-related cancers: systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

AbstractContextExcess weight has been linked to increased risks of 13 types of cancers. Physical activity is a non-nutritional modifiable lifestyle factor that is not only crucial for weight control but is also known to regulate hormones and metabolic pathways that may contribute to carcinogenesis. There is solid evidence that being physically active during middle and late adulthood lowers the risks of 3 obesity-related cancers, namely breast cancer, colon cancer, and endometrial cancer. However, the associations between physical activity at a young age (childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood; age 5 to ≤30 yr) and lifetime physical activity and the risks of breast cancer, colon cancer, and endometrial cancer are less defined.ObjectiveThe present systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies was performed in accordance with the MOOSE guidelines to determine whether physical activity at a young age and lifetime physical activity may lower the risks of breast cancer, colon cancer, and endometrial cancer.Data sourcesThe PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant observational studies published from inception to July 2018.Study selectionObservational studies (prospective cohort, case-cohort, nested case-control, historical cohort, and case-control) were considered relevant if they investigated the association between physical activity at a young age or lifetime physical activity and the risks of developing selected cancers.Data extractionA random-effects meta-analysis was performed to generate the summary relative risk (RR) with 95%CI for the highest vs the lowest category of physical activity of any type.ResultsEighty publications were included in the present meta-analysis. Higher physical activity at a young age was associated with lower risks of breast cancer (RR 0.81, 95%CI 0.76, 0.87) and colon cancer (RR 0.67, 95%CI 0.50, 0.88). Similarly, lifetime physical activity was inversely associated with the risks of breast cancer (RR 0.79, 95%CI 0.72, 0.86) and colon cancer (RR 0.75, 95%CI 0.69, 0.82). For breast cancer, menopausal status did not appear to modify the observed inverse association. The benefit with respect to endometrial cancer risk reduction was only observed with higher lifetime physical activity (RR 0.77, 95%CI 0.67, 0.88), not with higher physical activity at a young age (RR 0.89, 95%CI 0.73, 1.07).ConclusionsBeing physically active over a lifetime, starting from early childhood, may lower the risks of developing breast cancer, colon cancer, and endometrial cancer.

Pretreatment Computed Tomography–Defined Sarcopenia, Treatment-Associated Muscle Loss, and Survival in Patients With Cervical Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract Context Sarcopenia has been identified as a potential predictor of poor prognosis in various types of cancer. However, the impact of pretreatment sarcopenia and the reduction of skeletal muscle mass during treatment on survival outcomes of patients with cervical cancer is still not well understood. Objective This meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the impact of pretreatment sarcopenia and treatment-associated muscle loss on survival outcomes in patients with cervical cancer. Data Sources The PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for studies exploring the relationship between muscle loss and the prognosis of cervical cancer until January 1, 2023. Data Extraction The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were extracted. Data Analysis The data were analyzed using R software. The studies’ quality was assessed using the Quality in Prognostic Studies tool. Twelve observational studies involving 1498 patients with cervical cancer were included in the analysis, with a prevalence of sarcopenia ranging from 24.8% to 57.5%. Sarcopenia was an independent predictor of poor OS (HR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.28–2.21; P < .01) and PFS (HR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.19–1.98; P < .01) in patients with cervical cancer. Additionally, the decrease in skeletal muscle during treatment was also significantly related to the OS (HR, 4.46; 95% CI, 2.87–6.94; P < .01) and PFS (HR, 2.89; 95% CI. 1.83–4.55; P < .01). Conclusions The prevalence of pretreatment sarcopenia was high among patients with cervical cancer. Pretreatment sarcopenia and skeletal muscle loss during treatment both negatively affected prognosis in cervical cancer.