Phytochemicals as Chemo-Preventive and Therapeutic Agents Against Bladder Cancer: A Comprehensive Review

Bladder cancer has a high incidence worldwide and is characterized by a high recurrence rate, metastatic potential, and a significant socioeconomic burden. Conventional treatment modalities usually exhibit serious adverse complications, which also negatively affect patients’ quality of life. In the...

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Main Authors: Orestis Porfyris, Paraskevi Detopoulou, Theodora Adamantidi, Alexandros Tsoupras, Dimitris Papageorgiou, Anastasios Ioannidis, Andrea Paola Rojas Gil
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Diseases
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/13/4/103
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author Orestis Porfyris
Paraskevi Detopoulou
Theodora Adamantidi
Alexandros Tsoupras
Dimitris Papageorgiou
Anastasios Ioannidis
Andrea Paola Rojas Gil
author_facet Orestis Porfyris
Paraskevi Detopoulou
Theodora Adamantidi
Alexandros Tsoupras
Dimitris Papageorgiou
Anastasios Ioannidis
Andrea Paola Rojas Gil
author_sort Orestis Porfyris
collection DOAJ
description Bladder cancer has a high incidence worldwide and is characterized by a high recurrence rate, metastatic potential, and a significant socioeconomic burden. Conventional treatment modalities usually exhibit serious adverse complications, which also negatively affect patients’ quality of life. In the context of exploring new treatment approaches with fewer side effects, the utilization of natural compounds as alternative and/or complementary therapeutic options seems appealing. In the present study, the potential use and effects of various bioactive phytochemicals, including curcumin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin, genistein, and several others, in bladder cancer treatment are thoroughly reviewed. A special focus is given to their potential to beneficially modulate important molecular signaling pathways and mechanisms affecting cell survival, proliferation, migration, and apoptosis, which play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of bladder cancer, such as the PI3K/AKT/mTOR, Ras/Raf/MEK/MAPK, Wnt/β-Catenin, Notch, Hedgehog, Hippo, JAK2/STAT3, and PAF/PAF-receptor pathways. Nevertheless, most studies have been conducted in cell cultures and animal models. Due to differences in genetics and metabolism, more clinical trials are needed to ensure the bio-efficacy of these phytochemicals in humans.
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spelling doaj-art-63c5ca610f4a4d839f845b2c31c50bb12025-08-20T02:28:28ZengMDPI AGDiseases2079-97212025-03-0113410310.3390/diseases13040103Phytochemicals as Chemo-Preventive and Therapeutic Agents Against Bladder Cancer: A Comprehensive ReviewOrestis Porfyris0Paraskevi Detopoulou1Theodora Adamantidi2Alexandros Tsoupras3Dimitris Papageorgiou4Anastasios Ioannidis5Andrea Paola Rojas Gil6Laboratory of Basic Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Peloponnese, Akadimaikou GK, 3 Building OAED, 22100 Tripoli, GreeceDepartment of Nutritional Science and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Peloponnese, New Building, Antikalamos, 24100 Kalamata, GreeceHephaestus Laboratory, School of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, Kavala University Campus, 65404 Kavala, GreeceHephaestus Laboratory, School of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, Kavala University Campus, 65404 Kavala, GreeceDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Peloponnese Panarcadian Hospital of Tripoli, Red Cross Terminal (Administrative Services) 2nd Floor, 22100 Tripoli, GreeceLaboratory of Basic Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Peloponnese, Akadimaikou GK, 3 Building OAED, 22100 Tripoli, GreeceLaboratory of Basic Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Peloponnese, Akadimaikou GK, 3 Building OAED, 22100 Tripoli, GreeceBladder cancer has a high incidence worldwide and is characterized by a high recurrence rate, metastatic potential, and a significant socioeconomic burden. Conventional treatment modalities usually exhibit serious adverse complications, which also negatively affect patients’ quality of life. In the context of exploring new treatment approaches with fewer side effects, the utilization of natural compounds as alternative and/or complementary therapeutic options seems appealing. In the present study, the potential use and effects of various bioactive phytochemicals, including curcumin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin, genistein, and several others, in bladder cancer treatment are thoroughly reviewed. A special focus is given to their potential to beneficially modulate important molecular signaling pathways and mechanisms affecting cell survival, proliferation, migration, and apoptosis, which play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of bladder cancer, such as the PI3K/AKT/mTOR, Ras/Raf/MEK/MAPK, Wnt/β-Catenin, Notch, Hedgehog, Hippo, JAK2/STAT3, and PAF/PAF-receptor pathways. Nevertheless, most studies have been conducted in cell cultures and animal models. Due to differences in genetics and metabolism, more clinical trials are needed to ensure the bio-efficacy of these phytochemicals in humans.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/13/4/103bladder cancersignaling pathwayphytochemicalpolyphenolchemopreventionapoptosis
spellingShingle Orestis Porfyris
Paraskevi Detopoulou
Theodora Adamantidi
Alexandros Tsoupras
Dimitris Papageorgiou
Anastasios Ioannidis
Andrea Paola Rojas Gil
Phytochemicals as Chemo-Preventive and Therapeutic Agents Against Bladder Cancer: A Comprehensive Review
Diseases
bladder cancer
signaling pathway
phytochemical
polyphenol
chemoprevention
apoptosis
title Phytochemicals as Chemo-Preventive and Therapeutic Agents Against Bladder Cancer: A Comprehensive Review
title_full Phytochemicals as Chemo-Preventive and Therapeutic Agents Against Bladder Cancer: A Comprehensive Review
title_fullStr Phytochemicals as Chemo-Preventive and Therapeutic Agents Against Bladder Cancer: A Comprehensive Review
title_full_unstemmed Phytochemicals as Chemo-Preventive and Therapeutic Agents Against Bladder Cancer: A Comprehensive Review
title_short Phytochemicals as Chemo-Preventive and Therapeutic Agents Against Bladder Cancer: A Comprehensive Review
title_sort phytochemicals as chemo preventive and therapeutic agents against bladder cancer a comprehensive review
topic bladder cancer
signaling pathway
phytochemical
polyphenol
chemoprevention
apoptosis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/13/4/103
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