Targeting angiogenesis in gliomas: Potential role of phytochemicals

Abstract

Solid tumors rely on pathological angiogenesis to meet their metabolic needs and facilitate their spread. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), an aggressive and deadliest brain malignancy, is represented by multi-mechanistic and exuberant angiogenic properties. Current treatment efforts to inhibit neovascularization using monoclonal antibodies (e.g., bevacizumab) generally fail to enhance GBM patients’ lifespan due to the inadequate medication transport to the brain and the lack of a multimodal action accentuating the necessity of developing novel medicines. Phytochemicals such as curcumin, ellagic acid, quercetin, and resveratrol are secondary metabolites of plants that have frequently been demonstrated to enclose the potential of suppressing GBM tumor growth through inhibiting various mechanisms involved in neovessel creation. The current study summarized advances in the preclinical and clinical investigations concerning the impact of phytochemicals on GBM tumor angiogenesis by focusing on their mechanism of action. Furthermore, we sought to identify the overlooked factors for future research.

Keywords

• Cancer
• Glioblastoma
• Angiogenesis
• Phytochemicals
• Signaling pathways