Basbrain TA, Zabermawi NM, Alrahimi JS, Zaher KA. Immunomodulatory and antitumor effects of shilajit and glycine: Natural metabolic modulators targeting breast and liver cancer. World J Clin Oncol 2026; 17(5): 119163 [DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v17.i5.119163]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Kawther A Zaher, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Immunology Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center; and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Gamaa Road, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia. kzaher@kau.edu.sa
Research Domain of This Article
Oncology
Article-Type of This Article
Minireviews
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Basbrain TA, Zabermawi NM, Alrahimi JS, Zaher KA. Immunomodulatory and antitumor effects of shilajit and glycine: Natural metabolic modulators targeting breast and liver cancer. World J Clin Oncol 2026; 17(5): 119163 [DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v17.i5.119163]
World J Clin Oncol. May 24, 2026; 17(5): 119163 Published online May 24, 2026. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v17.i5.119163
Immunomodulatory and antitumor effects of shilajit and glycine: Natural metabolic modulators targeting breast and liver cancer
Tasneem A Basbrain, Nidal M Zabermawi, Jehan S Alrahimi, Kawther A Zaher
Tasneem A Basbrain, Nidal M Zabermawi, Jehan S Alrahimi, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Kawther A Zaher, Department of Immunology Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center; and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
Author contributions: Zaher KA and Basbrain TA conceptualized and designed the study, created the artwork, analyzed the data, and drafted the original manuscript; Zaher KA, Zabermawi NM, and Alrahimi JS supervised and made critical revisions, interpretation of data, and conducted the literature review; all authors prepared the draft and approved the submitted version.
AI contribution statement: AI language editing tools are only used for language polishing, grammar improvement, readability enhancement, and writing assistance during manuscript preparation and revision processes. The entire scientific content, knowledge framework, literature explanations, and conclusions are prepared, critically reviewed, revised, and approved by the authors. There is no part of the manuscript generated by artificial intelligence that can replace the author's scientific contribution. Artificial intelligence tools have not been used for research design, data analysis, result interpretation, or graphic/image generation.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Kawther A Zaher, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Immunology Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center; and Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Gamaa Road, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia. kzaher@kau.edu.sa
Received: January 20, 2026 Revised: February 6, 2026 Accepted: March 13, 2026 Published online: May 24, 2026 Processing time: 120 Days and 13.2 Hours
Abstract
Cancer cells frequently rewire serine/glycine one-carbon metabolism to sustain nucleotide synthesis, redox balance, and epigenetic regulation, pathways that also shape antitumor immunity within the tumor microenvironment. Here, we review two natural agents, shilajit (a fulvic-acid-rich exudate) and glycine, with convergent immunomodulatory and antitumor activities relevant to breast and liver cancers. Shilajit exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and has shown selective cytotoxicity and anti-migratory activity in preclinical cancer models, including when incorporated into nanoformulations. Glycine supports glutathione-dependent redox defense, attenuates inflammatory signaling, and intersects with amino-acid metabolic programs that influence tumor cell fitness and immune cell function. We synthesize mechanistic and preclinical evidence to position shilajit and glycine as complementary, low-cost candidates for modulating tumor immunity and stress responses. Finally, we outline translational priorities, including standardized formulations, pharmacokinetics, safety, biomarker-guided patient stratification, and rational combinations with established systemic therapies.
Core Tip: Shilajit and glycine are low-cost natural agents with convergent immunometabolic activity relevant to breast cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. This minireview summarizes how shilajit fractions and glycine-dependent redox and one-carbon pathways may modulate oxidative stress, inflammatory signaling, and immune-cell polarization within the tumor microenvironment. We highlight practical translational priorities, including extract standardization, pharmacokinetic constraints, biomarker-guided patient stratification, and rational combinations with established anticancer therapies.
