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Ceniti C, Ambrosio RL, Bria J, Di Vito A, Tilocca B, Anastasio A, Britti D, Morittu VM, Chiarella E. Utilization of Dairy By-Products as a Source of Functional and Health Compounds-The Role of Ovine Colostrum and Milk Whey on Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Cells. Foods 2023; 12:foods12091752. [PMID: 37174290 PMCID: PMC10178729 DOI: 10.3390/foods12091752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, the search for food products that promote consumers' health has gained interest, and dairy by-products, due to their biological quality, could have a prominent position among products with health benefits. However, little is known about their activity on cancer cells. This study aimed to provide evidence about the effect of ovine colostrum and milk whey on K562 cells, a model of the human chronic myeloid leukemia cell line. The exposure of K562 cells to a single administration of sheep by-products at different concentrations for three days and three treatments for three days was carried out. Using a flow cytometric approach, we found that CD235a expression remained stable in the cells exposed to ovine whey (milk and colostrum) at concentrations ranging from 1 ng/mL to 100 μg/mL, after three days from one or three administrations, respectively. A significant reduction in fluorescent cells was observed in the populations exposed to 1 mg/mL of both milk and colostrum at the same time points. In these conditions, the size and granularity of the leukemic cells also changed, with a substantial reduction in the number of actively dividing cells in the S phase of the cell cycle. This phenomenon was highlighted by the Annexin V/PI cytofluorimetric test, which is able to provide quantitative results regarding the population of cells in early or late apoptosis or necrotic cells after exposure to a single dose or three doses of colostrum or sheep whey for three days, respectively. This report showed that both colostrum and milk whey were able to modify the phenotypic profile and cell cycle of the K562 cell line, inducing apoptosis at the highest concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlotta Ceniti
- Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Græcia" of Catanzaro, C, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center Veterinary Service for Human and Animal Health, CISVetSUA, University "Magna Græcia", 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Rosa Luisa Ambrosio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Jessica Bria
- Laboratory of Morphology and Tissue Cell Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Græcia", 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Anna Di Vito
- Laboratory of Morphology and Tissue Cell Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Græcia", 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Bruno Tilocca
- Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Græcia" of Catanzaro, C, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center Veterinary Service for Human and Animal Health, CISVetSUA, University "Magna Græcia", 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Aniello Anastasio
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Domenico Britti
- Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Græcia" of Catanzaro, C, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center Veterinary Service for Human and Animal Health, CISVetSUA, University "Magna Græcia", 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Valeria Maria Morittu
- Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Græcia" of Catanzaro, C, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center Veterinary Service for Human and Animal Health, CISVetSUA, University "Magna Græcia", 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Emanuela Chiarella
- Laboratory of Molecular Haematopoiesis and Stem Cell Biology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Græcia", 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
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Bovine Colostrum Treatment of Specific Cancer Types: Current Evidence and Future Opportunities. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27248641. [PMID: 36557775 PMCID: PMC9785718 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27248641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Worldwide, the incidence of cancer is on the rise. Current cancer treatments include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. Chemotherapy and radiation treatment are typically associated with severe adverse effects and a decline in patients' quality of life. Anti-cancer substances derived from plants and animals need to be evaluated therapeutically as it is cost-effective, have fewer side effects, and can improve cancer patients' quality of life. Recently, bovine colostrum (BC) has attracted the interest of numerous researchers investigating its anti-cancer potential in humans. Dressings loaded with BC are beneficial in treating chronic wounds and diabetic foot ulcers. Lactoferrin, a glycoprotein with potent anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-microbial effects, is abundant in BC. The BC pills successfully promote the regression of low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia when administered intravaginally. The biological, genetic, and molecular mechanisms driving BC remain to be determined. Oral BC supplements are generally well-tolerated, but some flatulence and nausea may happen. To evaluate the therapeutic effects, long-term safety, and appropriate dosages of BC drugs, well-designed clinical trials are necessary. The purpose of this article is to emphasize the anti-cancer potential of BC and its constituents.
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Prasad A, Kothari N. Cow products: boon to human health and food security. Trop Anim Health Prod 2021; 54:12. [PMID: 34894304 PMCID: PMC8665701 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-021-03014-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The world population exceeded 7.8 billion people in 2020 and is predicted to reach 9.9 billion by 2050 as per the current increasing rate of 25%. In view of this, ensuring human health and food security has become an issue of key importance to countries with different degrees of economic development. At the same time, the livestock sector plays a strategic role in improving the economic, environmental, and sociocultural stewardship of any nation. The cow (Bos indicus) has held a distinctive role in human history ever since its domestication because of its valued harvests like dairy products (milk, clarified butter, yogurt, curd, and buttermilk) excreta like dung and urine. These products, except dung, provide all the necessary energy and nutrients to ensure the proper growth and development of the human. They are the source of many bioactive substances, which possess immense pharmacotherapeutic action against various physiological, metabolic and infectious disorders, including COVID-19. The use of urine and dung can be considered a low-cost agricultural practice for farmers and has been extensively used in modern agriculture practices to ensure food security via soil fertility, plant pathogens, and pests. Cow urine mediated synthesized nanomaterial also display distinctive characteristics and novel applications in various fields of science and technology. Thus, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of cow products, describing their biochemical constituents, bioactivities, and their utilization in the area ranging from human welfare to agriculture sustainability. An attempt is also made to present possible applications in bioenergy production and pollution reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arti Prasad
- Laboratory of Public Health Entomology, Department of Zoology, M. L. Sukhadia University, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Naresh Kothari
- Laboratory of Public Health Entomology, Department of Zoology, M. L. Sukhadia University, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India.
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Pan S, Weng H, Hu G, Wang S, Zhao T, Yao X, Liao L, Zhu X, Ge Y. Lactoferrin may inhibit the development of cancer via its immunostimulatory and immunomodulatory activities (Review). Int J Oncol 2021; 59:85. [PMID: 34533200 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2021.5265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Lactoferrin (Lf) is secreted by ectodermal tissue and has a structure similar to that of transferrin. Although Lf seems to be multifunctional, its main function is related to the natural defense system of mammals. The present review aims to highlight the major actions of Lf, including the regulation of cell growth, the inhibition of toxic compound formation, the removal of harmful free radicals and its important role in immune response regulation. Moreover, Lf has antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, anticancer and anti‑inflammatory activities. In addition, the use of Lf for functionalization of drug nanocarriers, with emphasis on tumor‑targeted drug delivery, is illustrated. Such effects serve as an important theoretical basis for its future development and application. In neurodegenerative diseases and the brains of elderly people, Lf expression is markedly upregulated. Lf may exert an anti‑inflammatory effect by inhibiting the formation of hydroxyl free radicals. Through its antioxidant properties, Lf can prevent DNA damage, thereby preventing tumor formation in the central nervous system. In addition, Lf specifically activates the p53 tumor suppressor gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sian Pan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, P.R. China
| | - Huiting Weng
- Department of Clinical Nursing, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 430011, P.R. China
| | - Guohong Hu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, P.R. China
| | - Shiwen Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830017, P.R. China
| | - Tian Zhao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830017, P.R. China
| | - Xueping Yao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830017, P.R. China
| | - Libin Liao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830017, P.R. China
| | - Xiaopeng Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhuzhou Central Hospital, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, P.R. China
| | - Yanshan Ge
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of The Chinese Ministry of Education, The Third Affiliated Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, P.R. China
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Neagu AN, Whitham D, Buonanno E, Jenkins A, Alexa-Stratulat T, Tamba BI, Darie CC. Proteomics and its applications in breast cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:4006-4049. [PMID: 34659875 PMCID: PMC8493401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is an individually unique, multi-faceted and chameleonic disease, an eternal challenge for the new era of high-integrated precision diagnostic and personalized oncomedicine. Besides traditional single-omics fields (such as genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics and metabolomics) and multi-omics contributions (proteogenomics, proteotranscriptomics or reproductomics), several new "-omics" approaches and exciting proteomics subfields are contributing to basic and advanced understanding of these "multiple diseases termed breast cancer": phenomics/cellomics, connectomics and interactomics, secretomics, matrisomics, exosomics, angiomics, chaperomics and epichaperomics, phosphoproteomics, ubiquitinomics, metalloproteomics, terminomics, degradomics and metadegradomics, adhesomics, stressomics, microbiomics, immunomics, salivaomics, materiomics and other biomics. Throughout the extremely complex neoplastic process, a Breast Cancer Cell Continuum Concept (BCCCC) has been modeled in this review as a spatio-temporal and holistic approach, as long as the breast cancer represents a complex cascade comprising successively integrated populations of heterogeneous tumor and cancer-associated cells, that reflect the carcinoma's progression from a "driving mutation" and formation of the breast primary tumor, toward the distant secondary tumors in different tissues and organs, via circulating tumor cell populations. This BCCCC is widely sustained by a Breast Cancer Proteomic Continuum Concept (BCPCC), where each phenotype of neoplastic and tumor-associated cells is characterized by a changing and adaptive proteomic profile detected in solid and liquid minimal invasive biopsies by complex proteomics approaches. Such a profile is created, beginning with the proteomic landscape of different neoplastic cell populations and cancer-associated cells, followed by subsequent analysis of protein biomarkers involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and intravasation, circulating tumor cell proteomics, and, finally, by protein biomarkers that highlight the extravasation and distant metastatic invasion. Proteomics technologies are producing important data in breast cancer diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers discovery and validation, are detecting genetic aberrations at the proteome level, describing functional and regulatory pathways and emphasizing specific protein and peptide profiles in human tissues, biological fluids, cell lines and animal models. Also, proteomics can identify different breast cancer subtypes and specific protein and proteoform expression, can assess the efficacy of cancer therapies at cellular and tissular level and can even identify new therapeutic target proteins in clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anca-Narcisa Neagu
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Group, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson UniversityPotsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA
- Laboratory of Animal Histology, Faculty of Biology, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of IașiCarol I bvd. No. 22, Iași 700505, Romania
| | - Danielle Whitham
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Group, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson UniversityPotsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA
| | - Emma Buonanno
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Group, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson UniversityPotsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA
| | - Avalon Jenkins
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Group, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson UniversityPotsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA
| | - Teodora Alexa-Stratulat
- Department of Medical Oncology-Radiotherapy, “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and PharmacyIndependenței bvd. No. 16-18, Iași 700021, Romania
| | - Bogdan Ionel Tamba
- Advanced Center for Research and Development in Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and PharmacyMihail Kogălniceanu Street No. 9-13, Iași 700454, Romania
| | - Costel C Darie
- Biochemistry & Proteomics Group, Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson UniversityPotsdam, NY 13699-5810, USA
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Mallikarjunappa S, Shandilya UK, Sharma A, Lamers K, Bissonnette N, Karrow NA, Meade KG. Functional analysis of bovine interleukin-10 receptor alpha in response to Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis lysate using CRISPR/Cas9. BMC Genet 2020; 21:121. [PMID: 33138773 PMCID: PMC7607837 DOI: 10.1186/s12863-020-00925-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The interleukin-10 receptor alpha (IL10RA) gene codes for the alpha chain of the IL-10 receptor which binds the cytokine IL-10. IL-10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine with immunoregulatory function during the pathogenesis of many inflammatory disorders in livestock, including Johne’s disease (JD). JD is a chronic enteritis in cattle caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) and is responsible for significant economic losses to the dairy industry. Several candidate genes including IL10RA have been found to be associated with JD. The aim of this study was to better understand the functional significance of IL10RA in the context of immune stimulation with MAP cell wall lysate. Results An IL10RA knock out (KO) bovine mammary epithelial cell (MAC-T) line was generated using the CRISPR/cas9 (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9) gene editing system. These IL10RA KO cells were stimulated with the immune stimulant MAP lysate +/− IL-10, or with LPS as a positive control. In comparison to unedited cells, relative quantification of immune-related genes after stimulation revealed that knocking out IL10RA resulted in upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression (TNFA, IL1A, IL1B and IL6) and downregulation of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), a negative regulator of pro-inflammatory cytokine signaling. At the protein level knocking out IL10RA also resulted in upregulation of inflammatory cytokines - TNF-α and IL-6 and chemokines - IL-8, CCL2 and CCL4, relative to unedited cells. Conclusions The findings of this study illustrate the broad and significant effects of knocking out the IL10RA gene in enhancing pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and further support the immunoregulatory role of IL10RA in eliciting an anti-inflammatory response as well as its potential functional involvement during the immune response associated with JD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Mallikarjunappa
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Co. Meath, Ireland.,Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Umesh K Shandilya
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Ankita Sharma
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Kristen Lamers
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Nathalie Bissonnette
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre, Sherbrooke, QC, J1M 0C8, Canada
| | - Niel A Karrow
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Kieran G Meade
- Animal and Bioscience Research Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Grange, Co. Meath, Ireland.
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Bagwe-Parab S, Yadav P, Kaur G, Tuli HS, Buttar HS. Therapeutic Applications of Human and Bovine Colostrum in the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Diseases and Distinctive Cancer Types: The Current Evidence. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:01100. [PMID: 33071773 PMCID: PMC7533576 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.01100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of gastrointestinal disorders (GID) and cancers is escalating all over the world. Limited consumption of colostrum by newborns not only weakens the immune system but also predisposes infants to microbial infections. Colostrum is nature's perfect food, sometimes referred to as the 'elixir of life'. Breast-fed infants have a lower incidence of GI tract infections than infants fed formula or cow's milk. As per WHO statistics, cancer is the most prevalent disease globally and causes 9.6 million deaths worldwide. The current strategies for treating cancer include chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. However, chemotherapy and radiation exposure are usually associated with serious long-term side effects and deterioration in the quality of life (QOL) of patients. Furthermore, the hospitalization and medication costs for treating cancers are exorbitant and impose high economic burden on healthcare systems. People are desperately looking for cost-effective and affordable alternative therapies for treating GID and cancers. Therefore, there is an urgent need for clinically evaluating the anticancer compounds isolated from plants and animals. Such therapies would not only be economical and have fewer side effects, but also help to improve the QOL of cancer patients. Recently, bovine colostrum (BC) has caught the attention of many investigators to explore its anticancer potential in humans. BC impregnated dressings are highly effective in treating chronic wounds and diabetic foot ulcer. BC is rich in lactoferrin, a glycoprotein with strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-microbial properties. Intravaginal application of BC tablets is effective in causing the regression of low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. The underlying mechanisms of BC at cellular, genetic, and molecular levels remain to be ascertained. Oral BC supplement is well-tolerated, but some people may experience problems such as flatulence and nausea. Well-designed, randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trials are needed to access the therapeutic potential, long-term safety, and optimal doses of BC products. This review is aimed to highlight the anticancer potential of BC and its components, and the therapeutic applications of BC supplements in treating gastrointestinal diseases in children and adults. We also discuss the health promotion benefits and therapeutic potential of BC nutraceuticals in reducing the incidence of non-communicable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddhi Bagwe-Parab
- Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandals Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, India
| | - Pratik Yadav
- Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandals Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, India
| | - Ginpreet Kaur
- Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandals Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, India
| | - Hardeep Singh Tuli
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Ambala, India
| | - Harpal Singh Buttar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Cutone A, Rosa L, Ianiro G, Lepanto MS, Bonaccorsi di Patti MC, Valenti P, Musci G. Lactoferrin's Anti-Cancer Properties: Safety, Selectivity, and Wide Range of Action. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10030456. [PMID: 32183434 PMCID: PMC7175311 DOI: 10.3390/biom10030456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite recent advances in cancer therapy, current treatments, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, although beneficial, present attendant side effects and long-term sequelae, usually more or less affecting quality of life of the patients. Indeed, except for most of the immunotherapeutic agents, the complete lack of selectivity between normal and cancer cells for radio- and chemotherapy can make them potential antagonists of the host anti-cancer self-defense over time. Recently, the use of nutraceuticals as natural compounds corroborating anti-cancer standard therapy is emerging as a promising tool for their relative abundance, bioavailability, safety, low-cost effectiveness, and immuno-compatibility with the host. In this review, we outlined the anti-cancer properties of Lactoferrin (Lf), an iron-binding glycoprotein of the innate immune defense. Lf shows high bioavailability after oral administration, high selectivity toward cancer cells, and a wide range of molecular targets controlling tumor proliferation, survival, migration, invasion, and metastasization. Of note, Lf is able to promote or inhibit cell proliferation and migration depending on whether it acts upon normal or cancerous cells, respectively. Importantly, Lf administration is highly tolerated and does not present significant adverse effects. Moreover, Lf can prevent development or inhibit cancer growth by boosting adaptive immune response. Finally, Lf was recently found to be an ideal carrier for chemotherapeutics, even for the treatment of brain tumors due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, thus globally appearing as a promising tool for cancer prevention and treatment, especially in combination therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antimo Cutone
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy;
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (G.M.)
| | - Luigi Rosa
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.R.); (M.S.L.); (P.V.)
| | - Giusi Ianiro
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy;
| | - Maria Stefania Lepanto
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.R.); (M.S.L.); (P.V.)
| | | | - Piera Valenti
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome La Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.R.); (M.S.L.); (P.V.)
| | - Giovanni Musci
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy;
- Correspondence: (A.C.); (G.M.)
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