Journal of Experimental Pharmacology (Sep 2021)
Silibinin: A New Opportunity for the Treatment of Brain Metastasis from Lung Cancer
Abstract
Raffaele Addeo U.O.C. Oncologia, “S. Giovanni di Dio” Hospital, ASLNA2NORD, Naples, 80027, ItalyCorrespondence: Raffaele AddeoU.O.C. Oncologia, “S. Giovanni di Dio” Hospital, ASLNA2NORD, Via Pirozzi Frattamaggiore, Naples, 80027, ItalyTel +39 081 8891233Fax +39 081 8891353Email [email protected]; [email protected]: Despite multimodal treatment, the prognosis of brain metastases (BM) remains limited, with a survival of only a few months. In this report, silibinin (or silybin), a natural polyphenolic flavonoid isolated from seed extracts of the herb milk thistle, is discussed as a potential therapeutic option for the treatment of BM. This molecule has an anticancer effect, blocking the migratory and invasive properties of neoplastic cells. This mechanism is focused on controlling the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)-mediated pathway. STAT3 plays a major role in the growth of tumors and leads to metastasis, including BM. The promising but preliminary clinical results achieved by silibinin on lung cancer BM suggest new opportunities for combined treatment with radiotherapy and/or temozolomide, not just to limit severe neurological symptoms but also to control clinical progression of the disease.Keywords: brain metastasis, lung cancer, silibinin, chemotherapy, target therapy, radiotherapy
