title: Phytochemicals for the prevention of breast and endometrial cancer.
abstract: Although there is evidence that phytochemicals decrease the incidence of breast and endometrial cancer, many observations are only phenomenologic, and much work needs to be done to explore basic mechanisms and the strategic exploitation of their interactions. The multiplicity of phytochemical actions at different sites in the process of tumorigenesis may eventually lead to the development of a multiagent strategy designed to maximize the complementary effects of different agents. A number of effects with possible relevance to cancer chemoprevention have been excluded from this review, including effects of phytochemicals on the immune response; the question of dietary restriction, which has a profound effect on tumorigenesis; the relatively low methionine levels in some phytochemicals such as soy, which may limit the synthesis of polyamines necessary for tumor growth [151]; and the fact that diets higher in plant products are usually lower in fat and result in leaner individuals with less potential for the synthesis of estradiol in adipose tissue. Also, many studies dealing solely with in vitro mutagenesis were excluded.
authors.affiliation: Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Department of Comparative Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cline
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Hughes
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D004032:Diet; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D028321:Plant Preparations; D010945:Plants, Edible / Q000737:chemistry; D013729:Terpenes / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D000975:Antioxidants; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D004968:Estrogens, Non-Steroidal; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D007529:Isoflavones; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D028321:Plant Preparations; D013729:Terpenes; D002338:Carotenoids