Abstract
Beta-glucans (β-glucans), naturally occurring polysaccharides, are present as constituents of the cell wall of cereal grains, mushrooms, algae, or microbes including bacteria, fungi, and yeast. Since Pillemer et al. first prepared and investigated zymosan in the 1940s and others followed with the investigation of β-glucans in the 1960s and 1970s, researchers have well established the significant role of β-glucans on the immune system relative to cancer treatment, infection immunity, and restoration of damaged bone marrow. However, information on their biological role in anti-metastatic activity remains limited. As an immunomodulating agent, β-glucan acts through the activation of innate immune cells such as macrophages, dendritic cells, granulocytes, and natural killer cells. This activation triggers the responses of adaptive immune cells such as CD4+ or CD8+ T cells and B cells, resulting in the inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis. Reports have shown that β-glucans exert multiple effects on cancer cells and cancer prevention. However the mechanisms of their actions appear complex due to differences in source, chemical structure, insufficiently defined preparation, and molecular weight, hence the inconsistent and often contradictory results obtained. This review is focused on the potential of β-glucans as anti-metastatic agents and the known mechanisms underlying their biological effects.
Keywords: Anti-metastatic, β-glucan, immunomodulatory, zymosan.
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
Title:The Effects of β-glucans on Cancer Metastasis
Volume: 13 Issue: 5
Author(s): Taek Joon Yoon, Sushruta Koppula and Kwang Ho Lee
Affiliation:
Keywords: Anti-metastatic, β-glucan, immunomodulatory, zymosan.
Abstract: Beta-glucans (β-glucans), naturally occurring polysaccharides, are present as constituents of the cell wall of cereal grains, mushrooms, algae, or microbes including bacteria, fungi, and yeast. Since Pillemer et al. first prepared and investigated zymosan in the 1940s and others followed with the investigation of β-glucans in the 1960s and 1970s, researchers have well established the significant role of β-glucans on the immune system relative to cancer treatment, infection immunity, and restoration of damaged bone marrow. However, information on their biological role in anti-metastatic activity remains limited. As an immunomodulating agent, β-glucan acts through the activation of innate immune cells such as macrophages, dendritic cells, granulocytes, and natural killer cells. This activation triggers the responses of adaptive immune cells such as CD4+ or CD8+ T cells and B cells, resulting in the inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis. Reports have shown that β-glucans exert multiple effects on cancer cells and cancer prevention. However the mechanisms of their actions appear complex due to differences in source, chemical structure, insufficiently defined preparation, and molecular weight, hence the inconsistent and often contradictory results obtained. This review is focused on the potential of β-glucans as anti-metastatic agents and the known mechanisms underlying their biological effects.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Yoon Taek Joon, Koppula Sushruta and Lee Kwang Ho, The Effects of β-glucans on Cancer Metastasis, Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2013; 13 (5) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871520611313050004
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871520611313050004 |
Print ISSN 1871-5206 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5992 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Induction of cell death in cancer cells by modulating telomerase activity using small molecule drugs
Telomeres are distinctive but short stretches present at the corners of chromosomes and aid in stabilizing chromosomal makeup. Resynthesis of telomeres supported by the activity of reverse transcriptase ribonucleoprotein complex telomerase. There is no any telomerase activity in human somatic cells, but the stem cells and germ cells undergone telomerase ...read more
Role of natural compounds as anti anti-cancer agents
Cancer is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy remains an important approach in treatment o f several types of cancers, even though ...read more
Signaling and enzymatic modulators in cancer treatment
Cancer accounts for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022 and is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are the most important approach for the treatment of several ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
The Effects of Newer Beta-Adrenoceptor Antagonists on Vascular Function in Cardiovascular Disease
Current Vascular Pharmacology Prophylaxis of Erectile Function After Radical Prostatectomy with Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors
Current Pharmaceutical Design Identification of Novel Sesamol Dimers with Unusual Methylenedioxy Ring-Opening Skeleton and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities
Current Organic Synthesis Nanosponge Carriers- An Archetype Swing in Cancer Therapy: A Comprehensive Review
Current Drug Targets Current Insights into the Role of HIF-1 in Cutaneous Wound Healing
Current Molecular Medicine The miR-183/96/182 Cluster Regulates Oxidative Apoptosis and Sensitizes Cells to Chemotherapy in Gliomas
Current Cancer Drug Targets Editorial [Hot topic: Focal Adhesion Kinase Signaling in Cancer- Part II (Guest Editor: Vita M. Golubovskaya)]
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Folding Versus Charge: Understanding Selective Target Recognition by the Thrombin Aptamers
Current Pharmaceutical Design Feasibility of Increased Navy Bean Powder Consumption for Primary and Secondary Colorectal Cancer Prevention
Current Nutrition & Food Science Antitumor Potential of Berberine and Cinnamic Acid against Solid Ehrlich Carcinoma in Mice
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Synthesis, Structure and Application of α, β Dehydro-α-aminophosphonic and α,β-Dehydro-α-aminophosphinic Acid Derivatives
Current Organic Synthesis Individual Cell Longevity, ‘Life’s Timekeeper’, and Metazoan Evolution
Current Aging Science Molecular Markers for Individualized Therapy in Colorectal Cancer: Progress Towards a Pharmacogenomics Array
Current Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine Thiopurine Biotransformation and Pharmacological Effects: Contribution of Oxidative Stress
Current Drug Metabolism Biological Ageing, Inflammation and Nutrition: How Might They Impact on Systemic Sclerosis?
Current Aging Science Discovery and Development of GSK3 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes
Current Pharmaceutical Design Strategies for Retargeted Gene Delivery Using Vectors Derived from Lentiviruses
Current Gene Therapy Oral Mucosal Immunization: Recent Advancement and Future Prospects
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) G and C Iterons and Strings in MicroRNAs Should be Important in Regulation of mRNAs<sup>†</sup>
MicroRNA Neurobiological Influences on Recovery from Traumatic Brain Injury: The Role of Genetic Polymorphisms
Current Pharmaceutical Design