Abstract
It is well known that cancer is defined as a group of diseases that differ both regarding the tissues they affect as well as their origin. For this reason, much effort is being made in the development of new drugs with the aim of increasing survival and patients quality of life. There is already a wide spectrum of anti-cancer agents that follow different mechanisms of action, such as the inhibitors of topoisomerases I and II and anti-mitotic chemicals, among others. Usually, these drugs are able to increase the patients survival, although their toxicity worsens the patients quality of life. Therefore, we should seriously consider alternative mechanisms, as well as the co-administration of these drugs with non-toxic compounds, such as melatonin or retinoic acid. This would increase the toxic effects of these drugs at low doses. Obviously, a better understanding of modified physiological systems during the development of these diseases would improve the diagnostic tools. This would be translated, in turn, into a higher survival index. The alteration of the proteolytic enzymes involved in the renin-angiotensin system and in the regulation of the gonadotrophins and TRH synthesis in breast cancer are examples of the above. These two proteins are regulated by the same enzyme, pyrrolidon carboxipeptidase, and both are directly involved in the initiation and development of breast cancer. Therefore, the aim of the present review is to revise the different options available at present to improve patients survival and to show alternative mechanisms that may be beneficial to patients well being.
Keywords: Chemotherapy, cancer, oxidative stress, natural compounds, renin-angiotensin system
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Actual and Potential Agents and Biomarkers in the Treatment of Cancer
Volume: 9 Issue: 5
Author(s): M. P. Carrera, M. J. Ramirez-Exposito and J. M. Martinez-Martos
Affiliation:
Keywords: Chemotherapy, cancer, oxidative stress, natural compounds, renin-angiotensin system
Abstract: It is well known that cancer is defined as a group of diseases that differ both regarding the tissues they affect as well as their origin. For this reason, much effort is being made in the development of new drugs with the aim of increasing survival and patients quality of life. There is already a wide spectrum of anti-cancer agents that follow different mechanisms of action, such as the inhibitors of topoisomerases I and II and anti-mitotic chemicals, among others. Usually, these drugs are able to increase the patients survival, although their toxicity worsens the patients quality of life. Therefore, we should seriously consider alternative mechanisms, as well as the co-administration of these drugs with non-toxic compounds, such as melatonin or retinoic acid. This would increase the toxic effects of these drugs at low doses. Obviously, a better understanding of modified physiological systems during the development of these diseases would improve the diagnostic tools. This would be translated, in turn, into a higher survival index. The alteration of the proteolytic enzymes involved in the renin-angiotensin system and in the regulation of the gonadotrophins and TRH synthesis in breast cancer are examples of the above. These two proteins are regulated by the same enzyme, pyrrolidon carboxipeptidase, and both are directly involved in the initiation and development of breast cancer. Therefore, the aim of the present review is to revise the different options available at present to improve patients survival and to show alternative mechanisms that may be beneficial to patients well being.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Carrera P. M., Ramirez-Exposito J. M. and Martinez-Martos M. J., Actual and Potential Agents and Biomarkers in the Treatment of Cancer, Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2009; 9 (5) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152009788451824
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152009788451824 |
Print ISSN 1871-5206 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5992 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Induction of cell death in cancer cells by modulating telomerase activity using small molecule drugs
Telomeres are distinctive but short stretches present at the corners of chromosomes and aid in stabilizing chromosomal makeup. Resynthesis of telomeres supported by the activity of reverse transcriptase ribonucleoprotein complex telomerase. There is no any telomerase activity in human somatic cells, but the stem cells and germ cells undergone telomerase ...read more
Role of natural compounds as anti anti-cancer agents
Cancer is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy remains an important approach in treatment o f several types of cancers, even though ...read more
Signaling and enzymatic modulators in cancer treatment
Cancer accounts for nearly 10 million deaths in 2022 and is considered the leading cause of worldwide mortality. Cancer outcome can be improved through an appropriate screening and early detection and through an efficient clinical treatment. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are the most important approach for the treatment of several ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
VEGF and Colon Cancer Growth Beyond Angiogenesis: Does VEGF Directly Mediate Colon Cancer Growth Via a Non-angiogenic Mechanism?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Natural Endoperoxides as Drug Lead Compounds
Current Medicinal Chemistry Apoptosis Signaling Pathways in Anticancer Therapy
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Phytoestrogens: Implications in Neurovascular Research
Current Neurovascular Research Methods of Preparation of Multifunctional Microbubbles and their In Vitro / In Vivo Assessment of Stability, Functional and Structural Properties
Current Pharmaceutical Design Small Molecule Immunosuppressive Agents in Experimental and Clinical Transplantation
Current Drug Targets - Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders Reading and Writing the Blood-Brain Barrier: Relevance to Therapeutics
Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery (Discontinued) Guanine Content of MicroRNAs is Associated with their Tumor- Suppressive and Oncogenic Roles in Lung and Breast Cancers
MicroRNA Identification of Critical MicroRNA Gene Targets in Cervical Cancer Using Network Properties
MicroRNA Applications of 211At and 223Ra in Targeted Alpha-Particle Radiotherapy
Current Radiopharmaceuticals Synthesis and Applications of Glyconanoparticles
Current Organic Chemistry Aberrant Splicing, Hyaluronan Synthases and Intracellular Hyaluronan as Drivers of Oncogenesis and Potential Drug Targets
Current Cancer Drug Targets Recent Advancemnts in Biodegradable Ocular Implants
Current Drug Delivery Review on Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Structure, Signaling Pathways, Interactions, and Recent Updates of EGFR Inhibitors
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Anti-proliferative Effects of Chromones: Potent Derivatives Affecting Cell Growth and Apoptosis in Breast, Bone-marrow and Cervical Cancer Cells
Medicinal Chemistry Biomedical Applications of Carbon Nanotubes: A Critical Review
Current Drug Delivery Aptamers as Targeting Delivery Devices or Anti-cancer Drugs for Fighting Tumors
Current Drug Metabolism Promotion of Metastasis-associated Gene Expression in Survived PANC-1 Cells Following Trichostatin A Treatment
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Can We Predict the Sites of the Recurrence of Ovarian Cancer by F-18 FDG PET/CT Depending on CA-125 Level?
Current Medical Imaging Chemical Biology: Past, Present and Future
Current Chemical Biology