Sulforaphane in Cancer Prevention and Therapy - A State-of-the-Art Review - Epidemiological Evidence, Molecular Mechanisms, and Translational Challenges

Sep 22, 2026

Sulforaphane (SFN), an aliphatic isothiocyanate from cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, is highlighted as a chemopreventive dietary agent with multifaceted anticancer activity. SFN activates the Nrf2–ARE signaling axis, suppresses HDACs and HIF-1α, and regulates apoptosis and autophagy. Epidemiological data link cruciferous intake to reduced cancer risk, while mechanistic work shows SFN modulates redox balance, detoxification routes, and epigenetic processes. Clinical trials also indicate potential reductions in carcinogenic biomarkers and support for metabolic detoxification. The review synthesizes epidemiology, molecular biology, and clinical evidence and addresses key translational barriers, including limited bioavailability, dose optimization, and standardization of broccoli-derived preparations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages21

Reading Time53 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Mechanistic Basis of SFN in Cancer Prevention and Therapy

Epidemiological Evidence

Clinical Trials and Translational Outlook

Translational Challenges

Review Sulforaphane in Cancer Prevention and Therapy: A State-of-the-Art Review of Epidemiological Evidence, Molecular Mechanisms, and Translational Challenges Jung Yoon Jang 1, Donghwan Kim 2, Na Kyeong Lee 1, Eunok Im 1, * and Nam Deuk Kim 1,3, * Academic Editors: Mateusz Kciuk and Damian Kołat Received: 30 December 2025 Revised: 12 February 2026 Accepted: 18 February 2026 Published: 20 February 2026 Copyright: © 2026 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license. 1 Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Drug Development, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea; [jungyoon486@pusan.ac.kr](jungyoon486@pusan.ac.kr) (J.Y.J.); [nklee@pusan.ac.kr](nklee@pusan.ac.kr) (N.K.L.) 2 Functional Food Materials Research Group, Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju-gun 55365, Republic of Korea; [kimd@kfri.re.kr](kimd@kfri.re.kr) 3 Department of Pharmacy, Eson Geriatric Hospital, Ulsan 44955, Republic of Korea * Correspondence: [eoim@pusan.ac.kr](eoim@pusan.ac.kr) (E.I.); [nadkim@pusan.ac.kr](nadkim@pusan.ac.kr) (N.D.K.); Tel.: +82-51-510-2812 (E.I.);+82-51-510-2801 (N.D.K.); Fax: +82-51-513-6754 (E.I. & N.D.K.) Abstract Sulforaphane (SFN), an aliphatic isothiocyanate derived from cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, has emerged as a chemopreventive dietary agent. SFN exerts multifaceted anticancer effects through the activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)–antioxidant response element (ARE) pathways, inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDACs) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), and regulation of apoptosis and autophagy. Epidemiological studies have consistently associated cruciferous vegetable intake with reduced cancer risk, while mechanistic research has elucidated the capacity of SFN to modulate redox balance, detoxification pathways, and epigenetic processes. Recent clinical trials have further demonstrated its potential to reduce carcinogenic biomarker levels and support metabolic detoxification. This review integrates evidence from epidemiological observations, molecular mechanisms, and clinical studies to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of SFN in cancer prevention and therapy. Finally, translational challenges, including limited bioavailability, dose optimization, and standardization of broccoli-derived preparations, are discussed as critical factors for successfully translating SFN therapies from bench to bedside. Keywords: sulforaphane; chemoprevention; Nrf2–ARE pathway; epigenetic regulation; HDAC inhibition; cell death; clinical trials 1. Introduction Sulforaphane (SFN) is an aliphatic isothiocyanate derived from glucoraphanin, a major glucosinolate abundant in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, kale, and cauliflower. It is widely recognized as a bioactive dietary phytochemical with diverse biological activities [1] . SFN exerts pleiotropic cytoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and stress-adaptive effects by regulating redox homeostasis, mitochondrial function, immune responses, and cellular detoxification pathways, which collectively contribute to cellular stress control and homeostasis [2–7] . At a fundamental biological level, these diverse stress-adaptive effects converge on a limited number of central regulatory pathways. Among them, the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)–antioxidant response element (ARE) axis represents a principal molecular hub through which SFN orchestrates antioxidant and detoxification responses, together with the modulation of inflammatory and metabolic signaling networks, thereby enhancing cellular antioxidant capacity and detoxification systems [8] . Through engagement of these stress-response pathways, SFN has been implicated in the protection against cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurodegenerative disor

FAQs

How does sulforaphane exert anticancer effects at the molecular level?

Sulforaphane activates the Nrf2–ARE pathway, inhibits HDACs and HIF-1α, and regulates apoptosis and autophagy, thereby coordinating antioxidant, detoxification, and stress-response processes.

What evidence links cruciferous vegetable intake to cancer risk reduction?

Epidemiological studies consistently associate sustained consumption of cruciferous vegetables with reduced risk of multiple cancers, including lung, colorectal, prostate, and breast cancers.

What translational challenges limit the clinical use of sulforaphane?

Key challenges include limited bioavailability, the need for dose optimization, and the requirement to standardize broccoli-derived preparations to enable consistent therapeutic effects.

Sep 22, 2026

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