Perspective: A positive cocktail effect of the bioactive components in the diet

Abstract

Throughout this book the power of combination chemoprevention is highlighted. Even individual agents that function by virtue of pleiotropic mechanisms of action portray a combination effect. In this final chapter, we offer a brief perspective on the concept of combining numerous (e.g., 10–25) dietary agents for the creation of a cocktail capable of mediating a broad-based cancer chemopreventive response. The challenges of logically and systematically founding a cocktail comprised of 10–25 dietary chemopreventive components functioning in an additive or synergistic manner are addressed. Obviously, this is no mean task. Some technological advances are necessary, such as creating in vitro systems engineered to encompass several hallmarks of cancer, and animal models that generically correlate with the genesis of human cancer. Nonetheless, as illustrated by the cogent, on point contributions presented in this book, over the past several decades, we have already acquired the knowledge and skill necessary for accomplishing this vast undertaking. Given the current day morbidity and mortality associated with malignant metastatic cancer, and future projections of even greater devastation, all of humanity would benefit by a holistic approach utilizing the tools provided to us by Nature.