Targeting the Cancer Stem Cells in Endocrine Cancers with Phytochemicals

Abstract

Abstract: Endocrine cancer is an uncontrolled growth of cells in the hormone-producing glands. Endocrine cancers include the adrenal, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, pituitary, and ovary malignancy. Recently, there has been an increase in the incidence of the most common endocrine cancer types, namely pancreatic and thyroid cancers. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) of endocrine tumors have received more attention due to their role in cancer progression, therapeutic resistance, and cancer relapse. Therefore, finding the natural phytochemicals that target the CSCs will help improve cancer patients' prognosis and life expectancy. Phytochemicals have also been shown to have anti-CSCs and are very effective in treating various cancer types. Curcumin is a common polyphenol found in turmeric, which has been shown to promote cellular drug accumulation and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Moreover, various other phytochemicals such as resveratrol, genistein, and apigenin are effective against different endocrine cancers by regulating the CSCs. Therefore, phytochemicals have emerged as chemotherapeutics that may have significance in preventing and treating endocrine cancers.