Posters
Presenting Author Academic/Professional Position
High School Student
Academic Level (Author 1)
High School Student
Academic Level (Author 4)
Fellow
Discipline/Specialty (Author 4)
Immunology and Microbiology
Presentation Type
Poster
Discipline Track
Community/Public Health
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Background: Cancer is a big health problem around the world, causing many deaths even though there have been improvements in treatments. Some of the main challenges in treating cancer include side effects, resistance to treatments, cancer spreading to other parts of the body (metastasis), and the disease coming back (recurrence). Scientists are looking for safer and better ways to treat cancer. One promising option is using natural substances that come from plants, which are less toxic and have a lot of potential for fighting diseases. One of these substances is Urolithin A (UA), a compound made in the body when we digest certain foods like pomegranates. UA has shown a strong ability to fight cancer.
Methods: To learn more about UA, we reviewed research studies following specific guidelines. We used a database called PubMed to search for articles about UA and its medical uses. We found about 512 articles and studied how UA is being used, especially for treating cancer.
Results: Since 2005, many studies have been done on UA, with almost half focusing on its role in fighting cancer. Most of these studies looked at how UA helps treat cancers like breast, colorectal, brain (glioma), pancreatic, and prostate cancers. UA works in several ways, such as improving how cells clean up waste (autophagy), boosting energy production in cells, and stopping cancer from spreading. It also makes other cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation work better. New technologies, like tiny particles and special carriers, are being used to make UA more effective by helping it stay stable and reach cancer cells more easily.
Conclusion: Urolithin A is a very promising molecule for cancer treatment because it works in many ways and can make current treatments better. However, scientists need to do more research to explore how UA can help with other types of cancer and move from lab studies to treatments that can be used in real life.
Recommended Citation
Chauhan, Aanya S.; Karumuru, Vinita; Yallapu, Mahi P.; and Dhasmana, Anupam, "Role of Urolithin A in Cancer Therapy" (2025). Research Symposium. 1.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/2025/posters/1
Role of Urolithin A in Cancer Therapy
Background: Cancer is a big health problem around the world, causing many deaths even though there have been improvements in treatments. Some of the main challenges in treating cancer include side effects, resistance to treatments, cancer spreading to other parts of the body (metastasis), and the disease coming back (recurrence). Scientists are looking for safer and better ways to treat cancer. One promising option is using natural substances that come from plants, which are less toxic and have a lot of potential for fighting diseases. One of these substances is Urolithin A (UA), a compound made in the body when we digest certain foods like pomegranates. UA has shown a strong ability to fight cancer.
Methods: To learn more about UA, we reviewed research studies following specific guidelines. We used a database called PubMed to search for articles about UA and its medical uses. We found about 512 articles and studied how UA is being used, especially for treating cancer.
Results: Since 2005, many studies have been done on UA, with almost half focusing on its role in fighting cancer. Most of these studies looked at how UA helps treat cancers like breast, colorectal, brain (glioma), pancreatic, and prostate cancers. UA works in several ways, such as improving how cells clean up waste (autophagy), boosting energy production in cells, and stopping cancer from spreading. It also makes other cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation work better. New technologies, like tiny particles and special carriers, are being used to make UA more effective by helping it stay stable and reach cancer cells more easily.
Conclusion: Urolithin A is a very promising molecule for cancer treatment because it works in many ways and can make current treatments better. However, scientists need to do more research to explore how UA can help with other types of cancer and move from lab studies to treatments that can be used in real life.
