Figure 1.

Multiple mechanisms of isothiocyanates in cancer prevention and therapy. ITCs inhibit cancers through regulating microbial homeostasis, such as inhibiting H. pylori infection, ameliorating gut microbiota imbalances and mucosal damage, and inhibiting mucosal invasion by anaerobic bacteria. ITCs inhibit cancer cell proliferation via suppressing glycolysis, restoring deregulated lipid metabolism, and inhibiting CSCs via regulating self-renewal signaling (Wnt/β-catenin, Hedgehog and Notch signaling) and miRNA pathways. Furthermore, ITCs exert anti-cancer effects via remodeling the tumor microenvironment, such as promoting B, T and NK cells’ proliferation, blocking EMT and inhibiting angiogenesis. ITCs, isothiocyanates; H. pylori, Helicobacter pylori; miR, microRNAs; EMT, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition; TCA, tricarboxylic acid cycle; ETC, electron transport chain; FAO, fatty acid oxidation; NK cell, natural killer cell.