Indonesian and Malaysian study review finds that coffee is a potent ally in the fight against cancer

Cancer News: New Research Highlights Chemopreventive Properties of Coffee
In recent years, scientists have been delving into the potential health benefits of coffee beyond its well-known stimulating effects. A comprehensive study review by researchers from Universitas Padjadjaran-Indonesia, Universiti Malaya-Malaysia and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Indonesia has shed light on the promising role of coffee, particularly its chemical constituents caffeine and chlorogenic acid, in cancer prevention. This Cancer News report explores the findings of these studies and their implications for public health.


Indonesian and Malaysian study review finds that coffee is a potent ally in the fight against cancer

Coffee and Its Bioactive Compounds
Coffee, one of the most consumed beverages globally, contains a plethora of bioactive compounds. Among these, caffeine and chlorogenic acid stand out for their significant anti-carcinogenic properties. These compounds have been linked to anti-inflammatory and antineoplastic effects, which play a crucial role in cancer prevention.
 
How Coffee Fights Cancer
-Inhibition of Cancer Cell Growth
Studies have shown that caffeine can directly inhibit the growth of cancer cells by affecting various cellular processes. It disrupts the cell cycle, induces apoptosis (programmed cell death), and inhibits DNA synthesis in cancer cells. Caffeine's ability to interfere with these critical cellular processes makes it a potent anti-cancer agent.
 
-Anti-inflammatory Properties
Chronic inflammation is a known risk factor for the development of cancer. Chlorogenic acid in coffee has been found to possess strong anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibits the activation of inflammatory pathways, thereby reducing the risk of cancer associated with chronic inflammation.
 
-Antioxidant Effects
Both caffeine and chlorogenic acid are powerful antioxidants. They neutralize free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage cells and lead to cancer. By scavenging these free radicals, coffee's bioactive compounds help protect cells from oxidative stress and DNA damage, both of which are linked to cancer development.
 
Chlorogenic acid, in particular, has been shown to reduce the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and modulate inflammatory pathways, thereby providing a protective effect against cancer.
 
-Modulation of Metabolic Pathways
Caffeine and chlorogenic acid also influence metabolic pathways associated with cancer progression. For instance, caffeine can modulate the PI3K/Akt and mTOR pathways, which are crucial for cell survival and proliferation. By inhibiting these pathways, caffeine can slow down the growth of cancer cells and enhance the effectiveness of other anticancer treatments.
 
gt; Significant Findings from Recent Studies
The review covered studies published between 2010 and 2023, highlighting several key findings:
 
-Breast Cancer: Caffeine and chlorogenic acid were found to reduce the size of estrogen receptor-positive breast tumors more effectively than triple-negative tumors.
 
-Colorectal Cancer: Both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee consumption improved overall survival and progression-free survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.
 
-Liver Cancer: Regular coffee consumption was associated with a lower risk of liver disease and carcinoma.
 
-Leukemia: Cafestol, a compound in coffee, induced cell death in leukemia cells and decreased their clonogenic potential.
Mechanisms of Action
 
Caffeine's Role in Apoptosis
Caffeine has been observed to induce apoptosis by activating key proteins involved in the cell death process. It increases the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins like Bax and decreases the levels of anti-apoptotic proteins like Bcl-2. This shift in the balance of apoptotic regulators leads to the programmed death of cancer cells.
 
Chlorogenic Acid's Impact on Metabolism
Chlorogenic acid affects cellular metabolism by inhibiting enzymes like DNA methyltransferase and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). These enzymes are involved in cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. By inhibiting their activity, chlorogenic acid can slow down the spread of cancer cells and prevent tumor growth.
 
The Role of Coffee in Autophagy
Autophagy, the process by which cells degrade and recycle their components, plays a critical role in cancer prevention. Caffeine has been found to promote autophagy by inhibiting the mTOR pathway, which is a key regulator of cell growth and proliferation. This inhibition leads to the formation of autophagosomes and the degradation of damaged cellular components, thereby reducing the risk of cancer.
 
Coffee Constituents and Their Specific Anticancer Activities
-Caffeine
Cell Cycle Regulation: Caffeine directly inhibits the cyclin D/CDK 4/6 complex, causing G1 arrest independently of p53. It also overrides G2 phase arrest caused by DNA-damaging chemicals, propelling cells into a deadly mitosis.
DNA Intercalation: Due to its planar xanthine structure, caffeine forms π-π complexes with nucleobases in DNA, similar to conventional anticancer drugs. This intercalation can protect DNA against damaging agents and modulate the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs.
 
-Chlorogenic Acid
ROS Reduction: Chlorogenic acid reduces reactive oxygen species, which are involved in oxidative stress and cancer progression.

Enzyme Inhibition: It inhibits matrix metalloproteinases and DNA methyltransferases, enzymes that play roles in cancer cell invasion and proliferation.
 
-Cafestol and Kahweol
Apoptosis Induction: These compounds induce apoptosis in cancer cells by increasing the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins and decreasing anti-apoptotic proteins.
 
Anti-angiogenesis: They inhibit the formation of new blood vessels that supply tumors, effectively starving the cancer cells.
 
Practical Implications
These findings suggest that incorporating coffee into one's daily diet could offer protective benefits against cancer. However, it is essential to note that coffee's chemopreventive effects may vary based on the type of coffee, preparation methods, and individual differences in metabolism. More research is needed to fully understand the optimal conditions for maximizing coffee's health benefits.
 
Combination Therapies
The combination of coffee constituents with existing chemotherapeutic drugs has shown promising results. For example, caffeine combined with doxorubicin enhances the drug's cytotoxic activity by preventing its efflux from cancer cells. Similarly, caffeine has shown synergistic effects with cisplatin in treating sarcoma tumors.
 
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials involving caffeine and other coffee constituents are ongoing. These trials aim to evaluate the effectiveness of these compounds in combination with standard cancer treatments, such as DNA-intercalating agents like cisplatin and doxorubicin, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors like dovitinib.
 
Conclusion
The growing body of evidence supporting the chemopreventive properties of coffee is promising. By understanding the mechanisms through which coffee's bioactive compounds exert their effects, we can better appreciate the potential of this widely consumed beverage in cancer prevention.
 
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Molecules.
https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/14/3302
 
For the latest Cancer News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
 
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/coffee-s-surprising-health-effects-what-you-need-to-know
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/chlorogenic-acid-a-promising-hope-for-bile-duct-cancer-treatment
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/coffee-and-milk-a-powerful-anti-inflammatory-duo-uniting-polyphenols-and-proteins
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/study-shows-that-a-healthy-diet-including-lots-of-vegetables-and-black-coffee-may-protect-against-covid-19-avoid-processed-meats