Phytochemicals targeting metabolic reprogramming in cancer: an assessment of role, mechanisms, pathways and therapeutic relevance

The metabolism of cancer is remarkably different from that of normal cells and confers variety of benefits including the promotion of other cancer hallmarks. As the rewired metabolism is a near-universal property of cancer cells, efforts are underway to exploit metabolic vulnerabilities for therapeutic benefit. In the continued search for a safer and effective ways of cancer treatment, structurally diverse plant-based compounds have gained substantial attention. Here, we present an extensive assessment of the role of phytocompounds in modulating cancer metabolism and make a case for the use of plant-based compounds in targeting metabolic vulnerabilities of cancer. We discuss the interactions of phytocompounds with major metabolic pathways and evaluate the role of phytochemicals in the regulation of growth signaling and transcriptional programs involved in metabolic transformation of cancer. Lastly, we examine the potential of these compounds in clinical management of cancer along with limitations and challenges