Nutritional Impact on Breast Cancer in Menopausal and Post-Menopausal Patients Treated with Aromatase Inhibitors

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Aromatase inhibitors (AIs)-specifically, letrozole, anastrozole and exemestane-represent the current gold standard for patients with estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer (ER + BC). This narrative review highlights potential interactions between nutrients and AIs, elucidating their molecular mechanisms involved. <b>Methods</b>: A comprehensive search was conducted across the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases to identify scientific publications and elucidate recommended dietary regimes for ER + BC patients treated with AIs. <b>Results</b>: Certain bioactive substances found in licorice, rosemary, juniper, cannabis, and citrus fruits exhibit intrinsic aromatase-inhibiting effects. Additionally, other nutrients and compounds-including honey, ginger, turmeric, sweet potatoes, pomegranates, bitter melon, dark sweet cherries, resveratrol, and vitamins D and C-contribute to treatment outcomes through their demonstrated antiproliferative properties. Certain natural compounds, such as soy, cow's milk, sesame seeds, and sesame oil, require caution due to their potential estrogen-like effects which could diminish the anti-estrogenic efficacy of AIs. <b>Conclusions</b>: These considerations hold significant weight in this context, as the management of oncological patients-particularly women with ER + BC-requires an integrated perspective. Antineoplastic treatment must be supported by appropriate nutrition to enhance antitumor efficacy and improve the patient's quality of life. The data presented herein are derived from in vitro, in silico, and animal model studies and await validation in large patient cohorts. Nevertheless, these findings pave the way for future research to elucidate these molecular phenomena in humans and to establish clinically significant conclusions for ER + BC patients.

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Publication Details

Journal
Cancers
Published
2025-12-25
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18010073
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Phytoestrogen effects and research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
2.94
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article

Nutritional Impact on Breast Cancer in Menopausal and Post-Menopausal Patients Treated with Aromatase Inhibitors

Daniela Pușcașiu, Ionuț Marcel Cobec, Corina Flangea, Peter Seropian et al.
2 citations
Cancers
Phytoestrogen effects and research
2.94
article

Nutritional Impact on Breast Cancer in Menopausal and Post-Menopausal Patients Treated with Aromatase Inhibitors

Daniela Pușcașiu, Ionuț Marcel Cobec, Corina Flangea, Peter Seropian, Tania Vlad, Roxana Popescu, Daliborca Cristina Vlad, Andrei Luca Dumitrascu, Cristina Doriana Marina
article en
2 citations

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Aromatase inhibitors (AIs)-specifically, letrozole, anastrozole and exemestane-represent the current gold standard for patients with estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer (ER + BC). This narrative review highlights potential interactions between nutrients and AIs, elucidating their molecular mechanisms involved. <b>Methods</b>: A comprehensive search was conducted across the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases to identify scientific publications and elucidate recommended dietary regimes for ER + BC patients treated with AIs. <b>Results</b>: Certain bioactive substances found in licorice, rosemary, juniper, cannabis, and citrus fruits exhibit intrinsic aromatase-inhibiting effects. Additionally, other nutrients and compounds-including honey, ginger, turmeric, sweet potatoes, pomegranates, bitter melon, dark sweet cherries, resveratrol, and vitamins D and C-contribute to treatment outcomes through their demonstrated antiproliferative properties. Certain natural compounds, such as soy, cow's milk, sesame seeds, and sesame oil, require caution due to their potential estrogen-like effects which could diminish the anti-estrogenic efficacy of AIs. <b>Conclusions</b>: These considerations hold significant weight in this context, as the management of oncological patients-particularly women with ER + BC-requires an integrated perspective. Antineoplastic treatment must be supported by appropriate nutrition to enhance antitumor efficacy and improve the patient's quality of life. The data presented herein are derived from in vitro, in silico, and animal model studies and await validation in large patient cohorts. Nevertheless, these findings pave the way for future research to elucidate these molecular phenomena in humans and to establish clinically significant conclusions for ER + BC patients.

CancersVol. 18(1)
University Medical Center Freiburg (DE), Spitalul Clinic Judeţean de Urgenţă "Pius Brînzeu" Timişoara (RO), Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara (RO), Krankenhäuser Landkreis Freudenstadt (DE)
Zero hunger
Openalex Percentile: Top 8%
Phytoestrogen effects and research
2.94
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