Developing Phytoestrogens for Breast Cancer Prevention

Mandy      M. Liu; Ying      Huang; Jeffrey      Wang

Abstract

Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women, and is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Chemoprevention using phytoestrogens (PEs) for breast cancer may be a valid strategy. PEs are phytochemicals with estrogen-like structures and can be classified into four types: isoflavones, lignans, stilbenes and coumestans. They are widely distributed in diet and herbs and have shown anti-cancer activity via mechanisms including estrogen receptor modulation, aromatase inhibition, and anti-angiogenesis. Genistein, daidzein and resveratrol are some of the most studied PE examples. Quality control in product manufacturing and clinical study design is a critical issue in developing them as clinically effective chemopreventive agents for breast cancer.

Keywords: Phytoestrogens, Breast cancer, Chemoprevention, Estrogen receptor modulator, Aromatase inhibitor, Genistein, Daidzein, Glycitein, Equol, Matairesinol, Secoisolariciresinol, Sesamin, Enterolactone, Enterodiol, Resveratrol, Coumestrol