Targeting STAT3 Signaling Pathway by Curcumin and Its analogues for
Breast Cancer: An Overview and Update on New Developments
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) has emerged as the fifth most prevalent cause of
cancer-related morbidity, prompting considerable interest from
researchers due to its increased malignancy and resistance to drugs.
Traditional chemotherapy methods have demonstrated limited effectiveness
in treating all BC subtypes, underscoring the pressing demand for
innovative therapeutic strategies or medications. Curcumin, a bioactive
substance extracted from Curcuma longa, has been widely examined for its
potential as an oncology drug. Research indicates that turmeric extract
and its derivatives effectively inhibit STAT3, resulting in downstream
effects like reducing cancer cell growth, triggering cell death, and
preventing metastasis. The research on curcumin’s impact on the STAT3
pathway in BC demonstrated that curcumin effectively inhibits STAT3,
leading to downstream effects such as the downregulation of Bcl-xL,
Bcl-2, and Survivin, and the induction of apoptosis in H-Ras MCF10A
cells. Additionally, it showed curcumin’s ability to hinder
proliferation and anchorage-independent cell growth. The research also
examined the effects of curcumin derivatives, like FLLL11, FLLL12,
hydrazinocurcumin (HC), and GO-Y030, on STAT3 inhibition and their
potential as therapeutic agents for BC. Observed results indicated the
promise of curcumin and its derivatives in targeting the STAT3 signaling
pathway for BC therapy.