Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, encompassing malignancies of the stomach, esophagus, pancreas, liver, and colorectal regions, are among the leading causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality across the globe. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) particularly highlight a significant health burden. Although advances in diagnostics and treatment options have been made, issues like toxicity and drug resistance present persistent challenges. Lifestyle factors, such as diet and physical activity, are closely linked with CRC, while chronic infections with Hepatitis B and C viruses are associated with HCC. Given these challenges, there is a pressing need to explore novel therapeutic strategies that can mitigate these issues effectively.

Natural products represent a rich repository of anti-cancer compounds, with an extensive history of providing clinically effective chemotherapeutic agents derived from sources like paclitaxel, vincristine, and camptothecin. Standardized herbal extracts and nutraceuticals further offer promising chemo-preventive avenues when metabolically profiled. The potential of these natural compounds to serve as preventive and therapeutic agents against GI cancers calls for a thorough exploration and deeper mechanistic insights into their efficacy and applications.

This Research Topic aims to advance our understanding of natural product-based therapeutic strategies for combating GI cancers, with a focus on discovery, isolation, and mechanistic examination. To gather further insights into these potentials, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Bioassay-guided fractionation and evaluation of bioactive natural compounds against GI cancers
• Profiling and molecular modeling of natural extracts targeting GI cancer cell lines
• Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability assessments of natural compounds and their role in modulating chemoresistance
• Synergistic effects of combining natural products with conventional GI cancer therapies
• Preclinical and clinical evaluations of natural products in GI cancer models and patient studies
• Application of 'omics' technologies to elucidate the effects of natural products on different GI cancers

We invite original research articles, reviews, case studies, meta-analyses, and short communications concerning this crucial topic.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Harnessing natural products for novel anti-cancer strategies in gastrointestinal cancers