# Novel Strategy for Cancer Therapy Proposal Based on Effects and Mechanisms of Targeting Cuproptosis by Polyphenols—A Narrative Review

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how polyphenols can trigger cuproptosis, a new type of cell death, offering a novel approach for cancer therapy.

## Contribution

The paper introduces the novel use of polyphenols as copper ionophores to induce cuproptosis for cancer treatment.

## Key findings

- Polyphenols can chelate and transport copper ions, inducing cuproptosis in cancer cells.
- Cuproptosis offers a new mechanism for tumor growth inhibition through copper metabolism modulation.
- Polyphenolic compounds show promising anti-cancer effects via their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

## Abstract

As a novel form of cell death, the discovery of cuproptosis presents significant opportunities and challenges for the field of cancer therapy. Notably, polyphenolic compounds have attracted considerable research attention for their ability to induce cuproptosis. These natural compounds not only exhibit marked anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, but their polyhydroxy structures also enable effective chelation and transport of copper ions. This provides novel insights into cuproptosis-mediated cancer therapy. Therefore, in this review, we systematically outline copper metabolism, the mechanisms of cuproptosis, and its association with cancer, while providing an in-depth discussion of the effects and mechanisms by which polyphenolic compounds act as copper ionophores to inhibit tumor growth and progression through the induction of cuproptosis. This review indicates the promising potential of polyphenolic compounds in the field of cancer therapy and provides a theoretical basis for therapeutic strategies based on cuproptosis.