Role of Fisetin in Chemosensitization

Abstract

For years, the concept of treatment strategies has remained targeting the tumor itself; however, the occurrence of chemoresistance remains a challenge now more than ever. Thus, it is necessary to explore alternative therapeutic approaches to overcome drug resistance in cancer treatment. Among various strategies to reverse drug resistance, the combination of current chemotherapy with natural agents as chemosensitizers has emerged as a promising one. Fisetin (3,3′,4′,7-tetrahydroxyflavone), a member of the flavonol, is one such flavonoid and naturally found in some plants, fruits, and vegetables. Studies of fisetin revealed its potential therapeutic effects, such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. Recent research has also suggested that fisetin might be used to sensitize tumor cells to chemotherapeutic agents and radiation therapy by inhibiting pathways that lead to treatment resistance. Therefore, this chapter presents molecular targets underlying the anticancer effects of fisetin. How fisetin sensitizes tumor cells to treatment is also discussed.