Modified pectins with anticancer activity in breast cancer: A systematic review

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide. The current pharmacological treatments for breast cancer have numerous adverse effects and are not always effective. Recently, the anticancer activity of modified pectins (MPs) against various types of cancers, including breast cancer, has been investigated. This systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) model, including scientific articles from the last 22 years that measured the anticancer activity of MPs on breast cancer. The articles were searched in four databases with the terms: “modified pectin” and “breast cancer”. Nine articles were included, five in vitro and four mixed (in vitro and in vivo). Different models and methods by which anticancer activity was measured were analyzed. All the studies reported positive results in both cell lines and in vivo murine models of breast cancer. The extracted data suggest a positive effect and provide mechanistic evidence of MPs in the treatment of breast cancer. However, as limited number of studies were included, further in vivo studies are required to obtain more conclusive preclinical evidence.