This Research Topic is part of a series with: Multi-targeted Natural Products as Cancer Therapeutics: Challenges and Opportunities, Volume II Cancer remains a leading cause of disease-related deaths worldwide, despite recent advances in our understanding of cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy have been used as standard non-surgical treatments of human cancer for decades, however, the survival rates of patients with cancer, especially those with advanced diseases are still very low due to the high toxicities of these treatments as well as the severe side effects. This fact has motivated researchers to discover new cancer therapeutics with minimum side effects, which intensively promotes the rapid development of single specific molecule-targeted therapies (SSMTT). Many efforts have been made in world-wide cancer drug discovery research and several single molecule-targeted therapies have been successfully developed. Unfortunately, most of the investments failed because cancer is a genetic disease and always harbors multiple alternations of molecules or genes at the genomic, genetic and epigenetic levels. The inhibition of a single molecule or signaling pathway by SSMTT frequently results in a hyperactive compensation of other cancer-related molecules and signaling pathways as well as the subsequent development of drug resistance. Therefore, identifying multi-targeted therapies, i.e. drugs that are able to target multiple cancer-related genes, proteins, or signaling pathways is a more promising way to success in developing new cancer therapeutics. Natural products, especially those from traditional Chinese medicine and folk remedies in other countries are an extraordinarily important source for new drug discovery over the past decades. Of note, many natural products have often been demonstrated to target several crucial genes or proteins in cancer-related signaling networks and exert synergistic effects. For example, Japonicone A, a dimeric sesquiterpenoid from the medicinal plant Inula japonica, has been found to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis by dually targeting the TNF-α/NF-κB and p53/MDM2 signaling pathways. Traditionally, researchers have believed that the multi-targeting mechanisms of natural products have limited their use in cancer treatment due to the low specificity and potential side effects. The growing interest in developing multi-targeted cancer therapies may provide another golden opportunity to develop natural products as new cancer therapeutics. Nevertheless, critical investigations for a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms of natural products also mean more challenges. Our long-term goals are to fully understand the molecular targets and mechanisms of action of anticancer natural products and develop them as novel cancer preventive and therapeutic agents. The specific goal of this Research Topic is to bring together the recent findings of newly identified anticancer natural products, especially those with multiple molecular targets. Papers (Original Research articles or Reviews) which discuss the in vitro and in vivo efficacy and pharmacological and toxicological properties of natural products are also welcome to be submitted. Guidelines for the conception and review of submissions As many anticancer drugs working as cytotoxic compounds have non-selective effects annihilating their potential therapeutic benefits, manuscripts are advised to provide evidence of a significant selectivity towards cancer cells (vs. healthy cells). Specifically, if the studied anticancer drug or modality does not target an oncogenic pathway, the authors should make every effort possible to prove that the cytotoxic or cytostatic effects they have identified exhibit selectivity for cancer cells (ideally 1 log difference in EC50 or IC50) vs. non-malignant cells (eg, fibroblasts or primary culture of cells). The authors should also demonstrate the applicability of their anticancer modalities on a minimum of two well-authenticated cancer cell lines (ideally originating from distinct organs/tissues). For manuscripts dealing with plant extracts or other natural substances/compounds, the composition and the stability of the study material must be described in sufficient detail. In particular, for extracts, chromatograms with characterization of the dominating compound(s) are requested. The level of purity must be proven and included. Please refer to the Four Pillars of Best Practice in Ethnopharmacology, a subset of which concerning general standards in natural product research are applied to all such studies in all sections of Frontiers in Pharmacology.

This volume will cover the natural products as they relate to cancer chemotherapy. The topics will include history and current status , recent launches, new clinical candidates and approved drugs directly derived from natural products, current and future cancer target opportunities for natural products, leveraging natural products as tools for new target generation , new approaches to cancer drug discovery through natural products based lead generation, and enabling technologies which leverage the unique attributes of natural products.

"The field of cancer therapeutics faces significant challenges, including limited treatment options with adverse side effects and the emergence of drug resistance. Traditional approaches often fall short of providing effective and safe treatments, leaving a critical gap in addressing this widespread disease. Natural Products as Cancer Therapeutics offers a compelling solution to these challenges by exploring the untapped potential of bioactive compounds derived from natural products. This book, edited by esteemed scholars in biochemistry and pharmacology, provides a comprehensive examination of these compounds and their diverse pharmacological benefits. By harnessing the power of nature, this book presents a fresh perspective on cancer treatment, showcasing the promising alternative offered by natural products"--

This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Natural Products for Cancer Prevention and Therapy" that was published in Nutrients

Many chemotherapeutic agents are available in today’s market that are highly effective against a variety of cancer types; however, the major drawbacks of these chemotherapeutic agents are the many side effects. As an alternative to these chemotherapeutic agents, there are a number of natural agents that are effective against cancer that have been tested in preclinical and clinical models over the years. These natural products must be documented and discussed in order to provide a thorough overview of all the options available for cancer treatment. The Handbook of Research on Natural Products and Their Bioactive Compounds as Cancer Therapeutics emphasizes the list of natural agents against all types of cancers and discusses the current state of research in the fields of natural products and their derivatives against cancer in preclinical and clinical models. This book also provides insight into the applications of meditation and mindfulness-based interventions in clinical and non-clinical conditions. Covering topics such as cancer therapy, antioxidants, and flavonoids, it is ideal for students, research scholars, academicians, professors, scientists, oncologists, doctors, and medical practitioners.

This book discusses the efficacy of various naturally occurring chemopreventive agents in preventing or delaying cancer. It focuses on the holistic chemopreventive concept, demonstrating the relevant response is the combined effect of a series of compounds that alone have been shown to have some effect in different experimental models. Written by leading experts in the field, the contributions provide details of research on various chemopreventive agents. Offering insights into the unique molecular targets and mechanisms, safety issues, molecular efficacy, and occurrence in nature of these compounds, the book is a valuable resource for all scientists working in biomedicine, and specifically in cancer research.