Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the three most commonly diagnosed malignancies worldwide and remains a major public health challenge, emphasizing the need for effective preventive strategies. Considering the current chemotherapy limitations of key agents, natural products widely researched as dietary supplements can complement conventional treatments. This review concentrates on Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry), including its fruits, leaves and pomace, as a rich source of bioactive compounds with well-documented anticancer properties. Notably, A. melanocarpa contains high levels of polyphenols such as cyanidin-3-galactoside, cyanidin-3-arabinoside, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, and epicatechin, as well as biologically active polysaccharides, including pectins and arabinogalactans. These compounds, through their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, are involved in modulating apoptosis pathways specifically targeting cancer cells. Moreover, their complexes may enhance chemopreventive efficacy through synergistic mechanisms. Recent studies show that supplementation with aronia products can improve inflammatory markers such as interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha, highlighting its potential role in modulating the tumor microenvironment. Collectively, these findings position A. melanocarpa as a promising candidate for use in integrative strategies aimed at the prevention and adjunctive treatment of CRC.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive and clinically challenging subtypes of breast cancer, defined by the absence of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 expression. The lack of actionable molecular targets contributes to limited therapeutic options, frequent recurrence, and a high propensity for distant metastasis. Metastatic dissemination remains the principal cause of mortality in patients with TNBC and is driven by complex molecular mechanisms involving multiple interconnected signaling networks. This review summarizes current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying metastatic progression in TNBC, with particular emphasis on signaling pathways that regulate tumor invasion, migration, and colonization of distant organs. We discuss the roles of key pathways, including PI3K/Akt, TGF-β, Wnt/β-catenin, NF-κB, and Rho/ROCK signaling, in the regulation of epithelial–mesenchymal transition, cytoskeletal remodeling, cancer stem cell phenotypes, and tumor–microenvironment interactions. A deeper understanding of these signaling networks may facilitate the identification of novel therapeutic targets and support the development of more effective strategies to limit metastatic disease in TNBC.

Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide, highlighting the need for safer and more effective chemopreventive strategies. Although many phytochemicals can modulate key molecular processes involved in breast carcinogenesis, their chemopreventive potential largely depends on delivery strategies that preserve their biological activity and enable efficient accumulation at the target site. Protein-based nanocarriers have emerged as promising delivery systems capable of improving the protection, solubility, cellular uptake, targeted delivery, and controlled release of bioactive compounds in tumor tissues. This review summarizes recent advances in selected animal- and plant-derived protein nanocarriers used for the encapsulation and delivery of natural compounds in breast cancer chemoprevention. Particular attention is given to their physicochemical properties, encapsulation performance, release behavior, biological activity, targeting potential, and translational limitations. Furthermore, the mechanisms underlying the enhanced anticancer activity of encapsulated phytochemicals, including improved stability, receptor-mediated uptake, pH-responsive release, apoptosis induction, oxidative stress modulation, and inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis, are highlighted. Current challenges, including enzymatic degradation, formulation instability, immunogenicity concerns, manufacturing scalability, and limited clinical evidence, remain important barriers to translation. Overall, selected protein-based nanocarriers represent promising multifunctional platforms for improving the chemopreventive potential of natural compounds in breast cancer.