Exploring the role of natural bioactive molecules in genitourinary cancers: how far has research progressed?

Abstract

The primary approaches to treat cancerous diseases include drug treatment, surgical procedures, biotherapy, and radiation therapy. Chemotherapy has been the primary treatment for cancer for a long time, but its main drawback is that it kills cancerous cells along with healthy ones, leading to deadly adverse health effects. However, genitourinary cancer has become a concern in recent years as it is more common in middle-aged people. So, researchers are trying to find possible therapeutic options from natural small molecules due to the many drawbacks associated with chemotherapy and other radiation-based therapies. Plenty of research was conducted regarding genitourinary cancer to determine the promising role of natural small molecules. So, this review focused on natural small molecules along with their potential therapeutic targets in the case of genitourinary cancers such as prostate cancer, renal cancer, bladder cancer, testicular cancer, and so on. Also, this review states some ongoing or completed clinical evidence in this regard.

Keywords: Apoptosis; Chemotherapy; Genitourinary cancers; Polyphenols; Urinary tract.

Fig. 1

Illustration representing the site of action of different natural small molecules in common genitourinary cancer pathways

Fig. 2

Exploring the roles of some small molecules on signaling pathways in genitourinary cancers

Fig. 3

Natural small molecules effective in genitourinary cancers