Research paper
Phytosterols and phytostanols and the hallmarks of cancer in model organisms: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Study answer
What this study found
Phytosterols and phytostanols reduced primary and metastatic tumor burden across cancer sites. In breast and colorectal cancer, pAKT and metastasis markers (MMP2/MMP9), angiogenesis markers (VEGF, CD31), and proliferation markers (Ki67, PCNA) were consistently reduced; tumor growth was inhibited in many models. Very high doses, especially CAMP-rich mixtures, sometimes caused adverse effects (gut health issues and intestinal adenoma formation). PSS have potential as cost-effective anti-cancer agents with a plausible mechanism of action, and may be explored as preventive or adjunctive therapy,…
- Study & population
- In vivo preclinical cancer models; animals included mice and rats (all studies except one used zebrafish).
- Intervention
- Phytosterol/phytostanol regimens given to cancer-model animals as dietary supplements or injections.
- Key limitation
- High heterogeneity across animal studies (I2 often >75%), varying cancer models, compounds, routes, and doses; reliance on preclinical data limits translation to humans; some regimens used extremely high doses with adverse effects; incomplete reporting of ethical approvals and potential biases; evidence may be…
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Open PDFOriginal abstract
Abstract Phytosterols and phytostanols are natural products present in vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds, or added to consumer food products whose intake is inversely associated with incidence and prognosis of several cancers. Randomized cancer prevent…