BACKGROUND: Use of natural agents is an upcoming area of research in cancer 
biology. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) has received great attention 
because of its therapeutic potential in various conditions including cancer. It 
is an active/abundant component of propolis, a honey bee hive product produced 
by bees using their enzyme-rich digestive secretions on resinous mix, bee wax 
and pollen from plants. It is used to protect the beehive against bacteria and 
other infections. Therefore a literature survey was done to understand the 
therapeutic potential of this compound. Although a lot of work has been done on 
chemotherapeutic aspects of CAPE and many reviews were available, yet its role 
as a radiomodulator was not clear.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of the review was to collect data on role of Caffeic 
acid phenethyl ester as radioprotector and /or sensitizer to evaluate its 
potential as modulator of radiation effects during cancer therapy.
METHODS: For literature survey, Pubmed and Google search engines were used. Data 
were collected up to August 2017. PubMed advanced search builder showed 845 
papers on CAPE. This search was further narrowed down to synthesis, 
bioavailability, CAPE derivatives, radioprotective and radiosensitizing effects 
of CAPE.
RESULTS: This review focused on the differential radiomodulatory effects of CAPE 
in normal and cancer cells. Besides chemistry and bioavailability, it's 
potential as a therapeutic agent against radiation induced damage was also 
evaluated.
CONCLUSION: CAPE was found to act both as radioprotector and radiosensitizer. 
Depending on the tissue type it can modulate the radiation response by following 
different mechanisms.