Comparison between tumors in plants and human beings: Mechanisms of tumor development and therapy with secondary plant metabolites

摘要: Abstract Background Human tumors are still a major threat to human health and plant negatively affect agricultural yields. Both areas of research developing largely independent each other. Treatment both remains unsatisfactory novel therapy options urgently needed. Hypothesis The concept this paper is compare cellular molecular mechanisms tumor development in plants beings explore possibilities develop treatment strategies based on bioactive secondary metabolites. interdisciplinary discourse may unravel commonalities differences the biology as basis for rational drug development. Results Plant galls upon infection by bacteria (e.g. Agrobacterium tumefaciens A. vitis, which harbor oncogenic T-DNA) insects gall wasps, aphids). benign, i.e. they usually do not ultimately kill their host, but can lead considerable economic damage due reduced crop yields cultivated plants. biological carcinogenesis (i.e. viruses other infectious agents), chemical (anthropogenic non-anthropogenic environmental toxic xenobiotics) physical (radioactivity, UV-radiation). majority malignant with lethal outcome. Although treatments available (antibiotics apathogenic bacterial strains tumors, cytostatic drugs tumors), successes non-satisfactory, because resistance severe adverse side effects. In beings, attacks microbes repelled immunity innate acquired immune systems). Plants instead display defense mechanisms, whereby constitutively expressed phytoanticipin compounds system, system compares phytoalexins, induced appropriate biotic or abiotic stressors. Some weapons armory metabolites also active against galls. There mutual co-evolution between animals/human was sometimes referred animal warfare. As consequence, hepatic phase I-III metabolization excretion developed animals detoxify harmful phytochemicals. On hand, invented “pro-drugs” during evolution, activated toxified biotransformation system. Recent efforts focus phytochemicals that specifically target tumor-related proteins, e.g. angiogenic metastatic inhibitors, stimulators improve anti-tumor immunity, specific cell death cancer stem inhibitors DNA epigenomic deregulation, driver genes oncogenes), multidrug ABC transporter efflux inhibitors), tumors. Conclusion exploitation treat bears tremendous therapeutic potential. there fundamental either isolated (semi)synthetic derivatives chemically defined standardized extracts offer new decrease incidence mortality well increase fighting crown