Pharmacotherapeutic Efficacy of Astaxanthin Toward Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common malignancies in women, characterized by the malignant proliferation of breast epithelial cells that significantly impairs patients’ quality of life. Astaxanthin (ASN), a marine-derived xanthophyll carotenoid, is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Emerging evidence suggests that ASN may exert anti-neoplastic effects by inhibiting tumorigenesis and suppressing the growth and progression of BC cells. This systematic review aims to critically evaluate the therapeutic potential of ASN as a pharmacological agent in the prevention and management of breast cancer. Methodology: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using keywords (e.g., “astaxanthin”, “carotenoid”, “breast cancer”). Studies were screened based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria with a focus on recent mechanistic insights. Ten studies meeting these criteria were included for analysis. Results: The included studies (nine in vitro and one in vivo) demonstrate that ASN exerts significant antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, and cytotoxic effects on BC cells. Mechanistically, these effects involve downregulation of mutated p53 and upregulation of pro-apoptotic markers. ASN also suppressed metastasis and angiogenesis, associated with increased expression of metastasis-suppressor genes such as BRMS1, maspin, MKK-4, and CD-82. Conclusion: ASN shows promising anti-cancer potential in BC by targeting key pathways in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis. Additionally, it may enhance chemosensitivity and reduce chemotherapy-induced toxicity. These findings support the potential role of ASN as an adjuvant therapeutic candidate in BC treatment strategies.