DMU Faculty Member Publishes Research on Natural Compounds Targeting Prostate Cancer in Leading Q1 International Journal
The College of Pharmacy at Dubai Medical University (DMU) announces the publication of a comprehensive scientific review authored by Prof. Ashraf Khalil, Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at College of Pharmacy. The review, titled “The Role of Natural Chalcones and Their Derivatives in Targeting Prostate Cancer: Recent Updates,” was published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS) (Volume 26, Issue 24, 2025). IJMS is a Q1 Scopus-indexed journal and ranks among the top 10% in the fields of Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry, reflecting the high caliber and global impact of this contribution.
Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in men worldwide and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. While hormone-based therapies offer initial benefit, a significant proportion of patients ultimately develop castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) — an aggressive, difficult-to-treat form of the disease with limited curative options.
This review focuses on chalcones — a class of naturally occurring compounds found in many plant species — and their synthetic derivatives as promising candidates for prostate cancer therapy. The review provides a thorough analysis of how both natural and synthetically derived chalcones exert anticancer activity by modulating key cellular processes, including:
- Apoptosis (programmed cell death) induction
- Cell cycle arrest
- Inhibition of cancer cell migration, invasion, and metastasis
- Suppression of angiogenesis (formation of tumor-feeding blood vessels)
- Modulation of critical signaling pathways: PI3K/Akt/mTOR, androgen receptor signaling, and NF-κB
The review also highlights the therapeutic promise of chalcone derivatives against cancer stem cells and in overcoming resistance to conventional therapies such as taxanes and TRAIL-based treatments. A dedicated section addresses the toxicity and safety profiles of these compounds, identifying key areas for future research.
Full Article: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/26/24/12082