# Targeting STAT3 and NF-κB Signaling Pathways in Cancer Prevention and Treatment: The Role of Chalcones

## TL;DR

Chalcones, natural compounds, may help prevent and treat cancer by targeting key signaling pathways like STAT3 and NF-κB.

## Contribution

This review highlights new synthetic chalcone derivatives with improved anticancer potential through modulation of STAT3 and NF-κB pathways.

## Key findings

- Chalcones inhibit cancer cell growth and induce apoptosis.
- Synthetic chalcone derivatives show better anticancer effects in combinations and nanoformulations.
- Chalcones modulate STAT3 and NF-κB pathways, which are crucial in cancer development.

## Abstract

Chalcones are natural compounds with proven biological properties, including anticancer activities. However, their low bioavailability encourages the design of new synthetic derivatives whose modified structure would increase the possibilities of use in the therapy or prevention of cancer. The prepared literature review presents natural and synthetic derivatives of chalcones that can modulate the NF-κB and STAT3 signaling pathways, the excessive activation of which plays an essential role during the carcinogenesis of various types of cells. Recent in vitro and in vivo research suggest tremendous therapeutic potential for natural and synthetic chalcone derivatives as compounds in multiple combinations and nanoformulations demonstrating better anticancer effects.

Chalcones are a type of natural flavonoid compound that have been found to possess promising anticancer properties. Studies have shown that chalcones can inhibit the growth and proliferation of cancer cells, induce apoptosis, and suppress tumor angiogenesis. In addition to their potential therapeutic applications, chalcones have also been studied for their chemopreventive effects, which involve reducing the risk of cancer development in healthy individuals. Overall, the anticancer properties of chalcones make them a promising area of research for developing new cancer treatments and preventative strategies. This review aims to provide a thorough overview of the central studies reported in the literature concerning cancer prevention and the treatment of chalcones. Although chalcones target many different mechanisms, the STAT and NF-κB signaling pathways are the ones this review will focus on, highlighting the existing crosstalk between these two pathways and considering the potential therapeutic opportunities for chalcone combinations.