Role of Vitamin E in Selected Malignant Neoplasms in Women

Emerging paradigms: unmasking the role of oxidative stress in HPV-induced carcinogenesis

The contribution of the human papillomavirus (HPV) to cancer is significant but not exclusive, as carcinogenesis involves complex mechanisms, notably oxidative stress. Oxidative stress and HPV can independently cause genome instability and DNA damage, contributing to tumorigenesis. Oxidative stress-induced DNA damage, especially double-strand breaks, aids in the integration of HPV into the host genome and promotes the overexpression of two viral proteins, E6 and E7. Lifestyle factors, including diet, smoking, alcohol, and psychological stress, along with genetic and epigenetic modifications, and viral oncoproteins may influence oxidative stress, impacting the progression of HPV-related cancers. This review highlights various mechanisms in oxidative-induced HPV-mediated carcinogenesis, including altered mitochondrial morphology and function leading to elevated ROS levels, modulation of antioxidant enzymes like Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione (GSH), and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx), induction of chronic inflammatory environments, and activation of specific cell signaling pathways like the Phosphoinositide 3-kinase, Protein kinase B, Mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) and the Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway. The study highlights the significance of comprehending and controlling oxidative stress in preventing and treating cancer. We suggested that incorporating dietary antioxidants and targeting cancer cells through mechanisms involving ROS could be potential interventions to mitigate the impact of oxidative stress on HPV-related malignancies.

Role of Fisetin in Selected Malignant Neoplasms in Women

A promising therapeutic window and cost-effectiveness are just two of the potential advantages of using naturally derived drugs. Fisetin (3,3',4',7-tetrahydroxyflavone) is a natural flavonoid of the flavonol group, commonly found in fruit and vegetables. In recent years, fisetin has gained wide attention across the scientific community because of its broad spectrum of pharmacological properties, including cytotoxic activity against most abundant cancers. By stimulating or inhibiting selected molecular targets or biochemical processes, fisetin could affect the reduction of metastasis or cancer progression, which indicates its chemotherapeutic or chemopreventive role. In this review, we have summarized the results of studies on the anticancer effects of fisetin on selected female malignancies, both in in vitro and in vivo tests, i.e., breast, cervical, and ovarian cancer, published over the past two decades. Until now, no article dedicated exclusively to the action of fisetin on female malignancies has appeared. This review also describes a growing number of nanodelivery systems designed to improve the bioavailability and solubility of this natural compound. The reported low toxicity and activity of fisetin on cancer cells indicate its valuable potential, but large-scale clinical trials are urgently needed to assess real chemotherapeutic efficacy of this flavonoid.

The Role of Selected Dietary Factors in the Development and Course of Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic disease with a complex, heterogeneous pathogenesis that affects about 10% of women of reproductive age, causing pain and leading to infertility. Treatment consists of administering pharmacological agents (resulting in a reduction of estrogen levels and inflammation), as well as the surgical removal of endometriotic lesions. Unfortunately, despite a wide range of available therapies, there is still a high recurrence rate after surgery. Consequently, it is necessary to improve the outcome of patients with endometriosis. In this context, there is growing interest in possible dietary modification to support or complement classic treatment options and even serve as a potential alternative to hormone therapy. In addition, a growing number of studies indicate positive effects of selected dietary factors on the development and course of endometriosis. This review article focuses on the potentially beneficial effects of compounds from the polyphenol group (curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, quercetin, resveratrol), vitamins, and selected micronutrients on endometriosis. The results indicate the potential of the selected ingredients in fighting the disease. However, most of the studies have been performed on experimental animal models, with a smaller proportion looking at the actual effects of use among women. Therefore, well-designed studies are needed to assess the importance of a well-chosen diet and the effects of specific dietary factors on the health of women suffering from endometriosis.

The Effect of Vitamin D and Its Analogs in Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in women, due to its heterogeneity and usually late diagnosis. The current first-line therapies of debulking surgery and intensive chemotherapy cause debilitating side effects. Therefore, there is an unmet medical need to find new and effective therapies with fewer side effects, or adjuvant therapies, which could reduce the necessary doses of chemotherapeutics. Vitamin D is one of the main regulators of serum calcium and phosphorus homeostasis, but it has also anticancer effects. It induces differentiation and apoptosis, reduces proliferation and metastatic potential of cancer cells. However, doses that would be effective against cancer cause hypercalcemia. For this reason, synthetic and less calcemic analogs have been developed and tested in terms of their anticancer effect. The anticancer role of vitamin D is best understood in colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer and much less research has been done in ovarian cancer. In this review, we thus summarize the studies on the role of vitamin D and its analogs in vitro and in vivo in ovarian cancer models.

Role of Vitamin K in Selected Malignant Neoplasms in Women

The main function of vitamin K in the human organism is its activity in the blood clotting cascade. Epidemiological studies suggest that reduced intake of vitamin K may contribute to an increased risk of geriatric diseases such as atherosclerosis, dementia, osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis. A growing number of studies also indicate that vitamin K may be involved not only in preventing the development of certain cancers but it may also support classical cancer chemotherapy. This review article summarizes the results of studies on the anticancer effects of vitamin K on selected female malignancies, i.e., breast, cervical, and ovarian cancer, published over the past 20 years. The promising effects of vitamin K on cancer cells observed so far indicate its great potential, but also the need for expansion of our knowledge in this area by conducting extensive research, including clinical trials.