Biochemical mechanisms and molecular interactions of vitamins in cancer therapy

• Published in: Cancer pathogenesis and therapy Vol. 3; no. 1; pp. 3 - 15
• Main Authors: Aborode, Abdullahi T., Onifade, Isreal A., Olorunshola, Mercy M., Adenikinju, Gladys O., Aruorivwooghene, Ibude J., Femi, Adeboboye C., Osayawe, Osasere Jude-Kelly, Osinuga, Abraham, Omojowolo, Ebenezer A., Adeoye, Adekunle F., Olapade, Segun, Adelakun, Ibrahim O., Moyinoluwa, Ogundepo D., Adeyemo, Oluwatosin M., Scott, Godfred Y., Ogbonna, Ruth A., Fajemisin, Emmanuel A., Ehtasham, Omama, Toluwalashe, Soyemi, Bakre, Adetolase A., Adesola, Ridwan O., Ogunleye, Seto C., Anyanwu, Nnenna R., Iorkula, Terungwa H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.01.2025; Department of Chemistry, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39759, USA%Department of Biology, University at Albany, Albany, NY 12222, USA%Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York at Binghamton, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA%Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA%Department of Biological Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas, KS 66103, USA%Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, Akure 340110, Nigeria%Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA%Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA%Department of Chemistry, University of Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA%Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30302, USA%Department of Chemistry, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40208, USA%Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Akure 340110, Nigeria%Department of Medical Diagnostics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi AK385, Ghana%Department of Research and Development, Nasarawa State AIDS and STI Control Program, Nasarawa, Lafia 962101, Nigeria%Department of Integrative Biomedical Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa%Department of Medicine and Surgery, Karachi Medical and Dental College, Karachi 74700, Pakistan%Department of Medicine, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Lagos 10010, Nigeria%Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200005, Nigeria%Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Jos, Plateau, Jos 930003, Nigeria; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biochemical; Cancer; Molecular interactions; Review; Therapy; Vitamins; Therapy; Biochemical; Molecular interactions; Vitamins; Cancer
• ISSN: 2949-7132; 2097-2563; 2949-7132
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cpt.2024.05.001

Recently, the potential role of vitamins in cancer therapy has attracted considerable research attention. However, the reported findings are inconsistent, with limited information on the biochemical and molecular interactions of different vitamins in various cancer cells. Importantly, the presence of vitamin receptors in tumor cells suggests that vitamins play a significant role in the molecular and biochemical interactions in cancers. Additionally, studies on the efficacy of vitamin supplementation and dosage levels on tumor progression and mortality risk have yielded inconsistent results. Notably, molecular and biochemical investigations have reported the function of vitamins in the proliferation, growth, and invasiveness of tumor cells, as well as in cell cycle arrest and inflammatory signaling. Additionally, different vitamins may regulate the cancer microenvironment by activating various molecular pathways. Vitamins significantly affect immunological function, antioxidant defense, inflammation, and epigenetic control, and can improve treatment outcomes by affecting cell behavior and combating stress and DNA damage. However, further research is necessary to confirm the efficacy of vitamins, establish ideal dosages, and develop effective cancer prevention and treatment plans. Individualized supplementation plans guided by medical knowledge are crucial to achieving optimal results in clinical and preclinical settings. In this review, we critically evaluated the effects of different vitamins on the risk and development of cancer. Additionally, we examined the potential of vitamin supplements to enhance the efficacy of drug therapy and counteract resistance mechanisms that often arise during cancer treatment. [Display omitted] •Chronic inflammation increases the risk of cancer.•Vitamin supplementation may lower the risk of cancer in humans.•Vitamins C and E protect cells from cancer-causing oxidative damage, DNA repair, cell growth, and division depend on vitamins such as vitamin B.