Metastatic breast cancer is typically an extremely aggressive cancer with poor 
prognosis. Metastasis requires the orchestration of homeostatic factors and 
cellular programs, many of which are potential therapeutic targets. Luteolin 
(2-[3,4-dihydroxyphenyl]-5,7-dihydroxy-4-chromenone), is a naturally occurring 
flavonoid found in fruits and vegetables that exhibits many anticancer 
properties. Luteolin obstructs metastasis through both direct and indirect 
mechanisms. For instance, luteolin may suppress breast cancer invasion by acting 
as an antiangiogenic therapeutic inhibiting VEGF production and its receptor's 
activity. Furthermore, luteolin decreases epithelial-mesenchymal transition 
markers and metastatic proclivity. Luteolin also acts as an antiproliferative by 
suppressing receptor tyrosine-kinase activity and apoptosis, both of which could 
prevent incipient colonization of breast cancer. Many of these antimetastatic 
characteristics accredited to luteolin are likely functionally related. For 
instance, the PI3K/Akt pathway, which is impeded by luteolin, has several 
downstream programs involved in increased proliferation, survival, and 
metastatic potential in breast cancer. In this review, luteolin's ability to 
ameliorate breast cancer is summarized. The paper also offers insight into the 
molecular mechanisms by which luteolin may suppress breast cancer metastasis.