Precise nutritional modulation of cancer biomarkers through the employment of functional foods and bioactive compounds

Abstract

Cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, prompting growing interest in preventive strategies that target early molecular changes. Functional foods (FFs), defined as bioactive-rich dietary components with health-promoting properties, have emerged as promising modulators of cancer-related biomarkers. This article reviews clinical and preclinical evidence on the influence of FFs and food bioactive compounds(FBCs) on key biomarkers, such as including HER2, Ki-67, PSA, and CEA, across various cancer types. Mechanistic insights reveal that these dietary compounds exert their effects through epigenetic modulation, anti-inflammatory signaling, reduction of oxidative stress, and regulation of apoptosis and the gut microbiome. Applications of these findings extend to biomarker-based early detection, dietary chemoprevention, and personalized nutrition strategies. However, limitations such as biomarker specificity, variable bioavailability, and a lack of long-term randomized trials continue to hinder clinical translation. Future directions emphasize the need for integrated omics approaches, development of multi-marker panels, and personalized dietary interventions supported by novel delivery systems. FFs hold significant promise in oncology, but rigorous, longitudinal studies are essential to validate their role in cancer prevention and precision medicine.

Novelty: This article uniquely synthesizes current clinical and preclinical evidence linking FFs and BCs to specific cancer-related biomarkers, while emphasizing mechanistic pathways and translational challenges. It further proposes integrated omics-based strategies and personalized nutrition approaches to enhance biomarker-guided cancer prevention, —an area that remains underexplored in current literature.

Keywords: Functional foods, Bioactive Compounds, cancer biomarkers, chemoprevention, epigenetics, metabolomics, personalized nutrition, sulforaphane, bioavailability, dietary intervention, early detection.