Phytochemicals for the management and prevention of oral squamous cell carcinoma: current progress and challenges

• Main Author: Ichwan, Solachuddin J. A.
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English; English; English
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: RK Dentistry; RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/85255/1/1-ISSC%202020%20Presentation.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/85255/2/2-Invitation%20%26%20Certificate.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/85255/3/3-Program%20%26%20Abstract%20Book.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/85255/
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

Cancer is a multifactorial disease characterized by uncontrolled growth and spreads of cells to the distant sites in any part of the body. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most frequently occurring oral cancer which can results in major mortality and morbidity due to its poor prognosis. Indeed, the incidence of oral cancer has increased worldwide counting Asia countries including South East Asia. OSCC is usually treated with either radiotherapy or surgery, and often combined with adjuvant chemotherapy. A number of chemically synthesized agents such as cisplatin, 5-FU, and hydroxyurea have been conventionally used as the drugs of choice for treatment of OSCC either as single agent or in combination chemotherapy regimens. These anti-neoplastic agents are effective at killing cancer cells by disturbing the cell-cycle progression of cancer cells. However they are also generally toxic to normal cells as well. Moreover, the use of chemically synthesized drugs has not significantly improved the overall survival rate over the past few decades due to development of drug resistance by the cancer cells. In light of this, there is a need to pursue more selective active agents that have fewer side effects, are cost-effective, and have a minimum level of disease resistance. Naturally occurring compounds from medicinal plants serve as vital resources for novel anti-cancer drugs. The merit of phytocompounds with chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive potential have been comprehensively investigated due to their minimal adverse effects and are relatively non-toxic. Increasing knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer progression has led to the development of a vast number of chemotherapeutic drugs, including those of phytochemicals. However, these advances have so far not improved the phytocompound-based drug development for OSCC treatment. To date only few phytochemicals have been tested in clinical phase trials to determine feasibility and toxicity against OSCC. Other anticancer drug candidates are still in preclinical trial stages. This review aims to briefly discuss the current state and challenges in drug development using phytochemical for OSCC chemotherapy and chemoprevention. Pharmacologic action and molecular or specific targets of anticancer phytochemicals which are evaluated at preclinical and clinical level are also highlighted.