Grape chemopreventive agents against angiogenesis and metastasis

Abstract

Recent advances in the identification of efficient diagnostic means, novel targets and therapeutics, have resulted in a significant decline in cancer mortality. However, based on recent estimates from the American Cancer Society, 1,762,450 new cancer cases and 606,880 cancer-deaths are projected to occur in the United States, in the year 2019. Therefore, an expedition for more efficient means of cancer management continues. Cancer cells cannot prosper without an adequate supply of blood through angiogenesis, aprocess of forming new blood vessels. Angiogenesis is a multistep process controlled by several proangiogenic and antiangiogenic factors. Dysregulated angiogenesis contributes to unlimited growth and metastasis of cancer, with fatal consequences. In a quest for novel agents/drugs to curtail metastatic spread of cancer, the dietary agents are being actively investigated. Grapes are, arguably, one of the most valuable fruits, containing more than 1600 phytochemicals. Among these, resveratrol, catechin, epicatechin, peonidin, cyanidin, malvidin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, taxifolin, and quercetin are the top ten compounds that account for more than 70% of the grape polyphenols. These grape constituents alone, in combinations, or as whole grape products, have been shown to have anticancer activities. In this chapter, we have discussed the mechanistic action(s) of grape agents against angiogenesis and metastasis, both of which are crucial requirements for cancer survival and progression. Studies have shown how grape chemopreventive agents are proficient at challenging the proangiogenic and antiangiogenic factors necessary for tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. This makes grape antioxidants very promising in cancer management.