By Ana Espino | Published on October 15, 2025 | 2 min read
Metastatic breast cancer (MBC)
represents the
most advanced stage of the disease and remains
incurable despite
major therapeutic progress. It is responsible for the
majority of breast
cancer–related deaths. Current treatments—hormone therapy, chemotherapy, and
immunotherapy—extend survival but do not eliminate the disease, while causing
significant side effects and long-term resistance.
Faced with the limitations of
conventional treatments, research is increasingly exploring the
potential of
natural compounds, particularly
plant-derived metabolites and
functional foods.
These have attracted growing interest for their chemopreventive, anti-tumor,
and synergistic effects with existing therapies. However, challenges persist,
such as the poor bioavailability of certain compounds, the absence of robust
clinical trials, and the complexity of molecular interactions.
This study was designed to
evaluate
the anti-metastatic properties of selected
plant metabolites and the potential
role of
functional foods in the prevention and treatment of
metastatic breast
cancer.
What can plant compounds really do?
Various categories of plant
compounds were analyzed.
Polyphenols such as
curcumin (from turmeric),
resveratrol (from grapes), and
EGCG (from green tea) demonstrate
anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, and anti-angiogenic effects, targeting
pathways such as
NF-κB,
PI3K/Akt, and
mTOR. Other molecules, including
flavonoids (quercetin,
genistein),
terpenoids (limonene, betulin), and
alkaloids (vinblastine,
camptothecin), also show inhibitory effects on metastatic cancer cells.
The study also highlights the role
of
functional foods rich in natural antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber,
and vitamins. Foods such as
broccoli, soy, red berries, garlic, and
cruciferous
vegetables are associated with
reduced tumor progression and
modulation of the
tumor microenvironment.
Nature and cancer — an alliance to
be supervised
Metastatic breast cancer, an
aggressive and still incurable disease, is pushing research toward alternative
therapeutic strategies. This review examined the potential of plant-based
compounds and functional foods as complementary options to conventional therapies.
The findings suggest credible anti-tumor effects, particularly in inhibiting
proliferation, migration, and survival of cancer cells, with notable
synergistic potential alongside current treatments.
However,
clinical translation
remains limited due to
low bioavailability, variability in natural
formulations, lack of standardization, and unpredictable individual responses.
To overcome these obstacles, rigorous clinical trials are needed, along with improved
formulation and stability of active ingredients, and detailed evaluation of
side effects and potential interactions.
Ultimately, a
personalized approach
integrating
nutrition, tumor biology, and
phytopharmacology could foster the
emergence of
new integrative oncology strategies better adapted to the specific
needs of patients.
Read next: Eugenol: clove against cancer?
About the author – Ana EspinoPhD in Immunology, specialized in Virology
