title: Lactoferrin and cancer disease prevention.
abstract: Lactoferrin (LF) is an iron-binding glycoprotein that is composed of the transferrin family and is predominantly found in the products of the exocrine glands located in the gateways of the digestive, respiratory, and reproductive systems, suggesting a role in the non-specific defence against invading pathogens. Additionally, several physiological roles have been attributed to LF, namely regulation of iron homeostasis, host defence against infection and inflammation, regulation of cellular growth, and differentiation and protection against cancer development and metastasis. These findings have suggested LF's great potential therapeutic use in cancer disease prevention and/or treatment, namely as a chemopreventive agent. This review looks at the recent advances in understanding the mechanisms underlying the multifunctional roles of LF and future perspectives on its potential therapeutic applications.
authors.affiliation: IBB-Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre of Biological Engineering, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal. lrmr@deb.uminho.pt
authors.forename: Lígia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schmitt
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paulsson
authors.forename: Helena Lindmark
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Månsson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018890:Chemoprevention; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D007501:Iron; D007781:Lactoferrin