Despite the development of more advanced medical
therapies,
cancer management remains a problem.
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (
HNSCC) is a particularly challenging
malignancy and requires more effective treatment strategies and a reduction in the debilitating morbidities associated with the
therapies.
Phytochemicals have long been used in ancient systems of medicine, and non-toxic
phytochemicals are being considered as new options for the effective management of
cancer. Here, we discuss the growth inhibitory and anti-cell migratory actions of
proanthocyanidins from grape seeds (GSPs),
polyphenols in
green tea and
honokiol, derived from the Magnolia species. Studies of these
phytochemicals using human
HNSCC cell lines from different sub-sites have demonstrated significant protective effects against
HNSCC in both in vitro and in vivo models. Treatment of human
HNSCC cell lines with GSPs, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a polyphenolic component of
green tea or
honokiol reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis. These effects have been associated with inhibitory effects of the
phytochemicals on the
epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and
cell cycle regulatory proteins, as well as other major
tumor-associated pathways. Similarly, the cell migration capacity of
HNSCC cell lines was inhibited. Thus, GSPs,
honokiol and EGCG appear to be promising bioactive
phytochemicals for the management of
head and neck cancer.