Natural Compounds with Potential to Modulate Cancer Therapies and Self-Reactive Immune Cells

Abstract

Cancer-related deaths are approaching 10 million each year. Survival statistics for some cancers, such as ovarian cancer, have remained unchanged for decades, with women diagnosed at stage III or IV having over 80% chance of a lethal cancer recurrence after standard first-line treatment (reductive surgery and chemotherapy). New treatments and adjunct therapies are needed. In ovarian cancer, as in other cancers, the immune response, particularly cytotoxic (CD8+) T cells are correlated with a decreased risk of recurrence. As well as completely new antigen targets resulting from DNA mutations (neo-antigens), these T cells recognize cancer-associated overexpressed, re-expressed or modified self-proteins. However, there is concern that activation of self-reactive responses may also promote off-target pathology. This review considers the complex interplay between cancer-reactive and self-reactive immune cells and discusses the potential uses for various leading immunomodulatory compounds, derived from plant-based sources, as a cancer therapy option or to modulate potential autoimmune pathology. Along with reviewing well-studied compounds such as curcumin (from turmeric), epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG, from green tea) and resveratrol (from grapes and certain berries), it is proposed that compounds from novel sources, for example, native Australian plants, will provide a useful source for the fine modulation of cancer immunity in patients.

Potential Impact of Human Cytomegalovirus Infection on Immunity to Ovarian Tumours and Cancer Progression

“…Besides CD8 + T cells and NK cells, the presence of tumour-infiltrating mature and activated dendritic cells (DCs) have been shown to correlate with a better prognosis in OC. They express CD107a, a marker of activation, and help attract more anti-tumour cell such as CTLs and NK cells to the TME [ 44 ].…”

CYP1B1 as a therapeutic target in cardio-oncology

“…Likewise, there are no published studies reporting the potential protective effects of CYP1B1 inhibitors on immunotherapy-induced cardiovascular toxicity. Nevetheless, natural comounds with CYP1B1 inhibitory activity have demonstrated immunomodulatory functions in vitro and in vivo, which may contribute to their anti-cancer effects, as recently reviewed [388,389]. Therefore, more research is needed to understand the potential interplay between CYP1B1 inhibitors and cancer immunotherapy in the context of cardio-oncology.…”

Permeability of Hypogymnia physodes Extract Component—Physodic Acid through the Blood–Brain Barrier as an Important Argument for Its Anticancer and Neuroprotective Activity within the Central Nervous System

“…Bioactive compounds from natural sources can be regarded as important agents that can potentially be applied in the prevention and treatment of human diseases. Many phytochemicals, e.g., resveratrol, curcumin or epigallocatechin gallate, inhibit pathological processes, thus protecting against the development of various human diseases [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Over the last 10 years, a dynamic increase in the rate of the central nervous system (CNS) diseases has been observed.…”