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World J Clin Oncol. Aug 10, 2014; 5(3): 348-358
Published online Aug 10, 2014. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v5.i3.348
Effects of psoralens as anti-tumoral agents in breast cancer cells
Maria Luisa Panno, Francesca Giordano
Maria Luisa Panno, Francesca Giordano, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, CS 87036, Italy
Author contributions: Both authors contributed to designing the scientific paper; Panno ML wrote most of the paper and studied a great deal of the literature that was also shared with the other author; Giordano F developed the introductory part, provided additional comments and ordered the references; Panno ML and Giordano F approved the final version.
Correspondence to: Panno Maria Luisa, Professor, Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, Cubo 4 C, Arcavacata di Rende, CS 87036, Italy. mamissina@yahoo.it
Telephone: +39-0984-492927 Fax: +39-0984-492929
Received: March 25, 2014
Revised: May 14, 2014
Accepted: June 10, 2014
Published online: August 10, 2014
Abstract

This review examines the biological properties of coumarins, widely distributed at the highest levels in the fruit, followed by the roots, stems and leaves, by considering their beneficial effects in the prevention of some diseases and as anti-cancer agents. These compounds are well known photosensitizing drugs which have been used as pharmaceuticals for a broad number of therapeutic applications requiring cell division inhibitors. Despite this, even in the absence of ultraviolet rays they are active. The current paper mainly focuses on the effects of psoralens on human breast cancer as they are able to influence many aspects of cell behavior, such as cell growth, survival and apoptosis. In addition, analytical and pharmacological data have demonstrated that psoralens antagonize some metabolizing enzymes, affect estrogen receptor stability and counteract cell invasiveness as well as cancer drug resistance. The scientific findings summarized highlight the pleiotropic functions of phytochemical drugs, given that recently their target signals and how these are modified in the cells have been identified. The encouraging results in this field suggest that multiple modulating strategies based on coumarin drugs in combination with canonical chemotherapeutic agents or radiotherapy could be a useful approach to address the treatment of many types of cancer.

Keywords: Psoralens, Breast tumor, Bergapten, Growth factors, Estrogens

Core tip: This review examines the biological properties of coumarins by considering their beneficial effects in the prevention of some diseases and as anti-cancer agents. The attention is mainly focused on the effects of psoralens on human breast cancer as they are able to influence many aspects of cell behavior. More recently, it has been reported that these drugs in breast cancer cells are capable of antagonizing some metabolizing enzymes, to affect estrogen receptor stability and to counteract cell invasiveness as well as cancer drug resistance.