| Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is regarded as a process where very aggressive cancer
cells generate vascular-like patterns without the presence of endothelial cells. It is
considered as the main mark of malignant cancer and has pivotal role in cancer
metastasis and progression in various types of cancers. On the other hand, resistance
to the antiangiogenesis therapies leads to the cancer recurrence. Therefore,
development of novel chemotherapies and their combinations is urgently needed
for abolition of VM structures and also for better tumor therapy. Hence, identifying
compounds that target VM structures might be superior therapeutic factors for
cancers treatment and controlling the recurrence and metastasis. In recent times,
naturally occurring compounds, especially phytochemicals have obtained great
attention due to their safe properties. Phytochemicals are also capable of targeting
VM structure and also their main signaling pathways. Consequently, in this
review article, we illustrated key signaling pathways in VM, and the phytochemicals
that affect these structures including curcumin, genistein, lycorine, luteolin,
columbamine, triptolide, Paris polyphylla, dehydroeffusol, jatrorrhizine
hydrochloride, grape seed proanthocyanidins, resveratrol, isoxanthohumol,
dehydrocurvularine, galiellalactone, oxacyclododecindione, brucine, honokiol,
ginsenoside Rg3, and norcantharidin. The recognition of these phytochemicals
and their safety profile may lead to new therapeutic agents'
development for VM elimination in different types of tumors. |