Abstract
Metastatic malignant melanoma remains a highly aggressive form of skin cancer for which no reliable methods for treatment exist. Given the increasing incidence of this cancer, considerable attention has focused on the development of new and improved methods for tackling this disease. Within this article, methods for treating melanoma are reviewed and discussed with particular attention focusing on prodrugs that are activated by the tyrosinase enzyme. This enzyme is up-regulated and is of elevated activity within malignant melanomas compared with healthy melanocytes, providing an ideal in-situ tool for the activation of melanoma prodrugs. By way of background to the prodrug strategies discussed within this review, the causes of melanoma, the enzymology of tyrosinase, and the chemistry of the biosynthetic pathways associated with melanogenesis are presented. Aspects of the design, mode of action, and biological profiles of key prodrugs that are activated by tyrosinase, and that show potential for the treatment of melanoma, are then presented and compared.
Keywords: Melanoma, prodrug, tyrosinase, ortho, melanogenesis, metastasis
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Tyrosinase Activated Melanoma Prodrugs
Volume: 9 Issue: 7
Author(s): Samaila Jawaid, Tariq H. Khan, Helen M.I. Osborn and Nana Aba O. Williams
Affiliation:
Keywords: Melanoma, prodrug, tyrosinase, ortho, melanogenesis, metastasis
Abstract: Metastatic malignant melanoma remains a highly aggressive form of skin cancer for which no reliable methods for treatment exist. Given the increasing incidence of this cancer, considerable attention has focused on the development of new and improved methods for tackling this disease. Within this article, methods for treating melanoma are reviewed and discussed with particular attention focusing on prodrugs that are activated by the tyrosinase enzyme. This enzyme is up-regulated and is of elevated activity within malignant melanomas compared with healthy melanocytes, providing an ideal in-situ tool for the activation of melanoma prodrugs. By way of background to the prodrug strategies discussed within this review, the causes of melanoma, the enzymology of tyrosinase, and the chemistry of the biosynthetic pathways associated with melanogenesis are presented. Aspects of the design, mode of action, and biological profiles of key prodrugs that are activated by tyrosinase, and that show potential for the treatment of melanoma, are then presented and compared.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Jawaid Samaila, Khan H. Tariq, Osborn M.I. Helen and Williams Aba O. Nana, Tyrosinase Activated Melanoma Prodrugs, Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2009; 9 (7) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152009789056886
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152009789056886 |
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
-
Role of C1QBP/p32 and its Therapeutic Potential in Breast Carcinoma and other Cancers
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Current WHO Classification of Tumours of the Central Nervous System: Histopathology and Additional Diagnostic Methods
Current Medical Imaging Discovery of a Novel Anti-Cancer Agent Targeting Both Topoisomerase I & II as Well as Telomerase Activities in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma A549 Cells In Vitro and In Vivo: Cinnamomum verum Component Cuminaldehyde
Current Cancer Drug Targets Modulation of Signaling Enhances the Efficacy of the Combination of Satraplatin and Erlotinib
Current Drug Targets Optimizing Gene Silencing Strategies for Pancreatic Cancer
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Non-histone Methylation of SET7/9 and its Biological Functions
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery PI3K Inhibitors for Cancer Therapy: What has been Achieved So Far?
Current Medicinal Chemistry Application of Functional Genomics to Bronchial Asthma
Current Pharmacogenomics In vitro effects of infrared A radiation on the synthesis of MMP-1, catalase, superoxide dismutase and GADD45 alpha protein
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) Exploiting Novel Cell Cycle Targets in the Development of Anticancer Agents
Current Cancer Drug Targets Dual EGFR and COX-2 Inhibition as a Novel Approach to Targeting Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Current Cancer Drug Targets Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications of Exosome Nanovesicles in Lung Cancer: State-of-The-Art
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Thermosensitive Polymeric Hydrogels As Drug Delivery Systems
Current Medicinal Chemistry Strategies for Leukotriene Modulation in Dermatology: Even More Visionary Perspectives? An Update
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Cytotoxic and Chemopreventive Effects of Gemin D Against Different Mutagens Using In Vitro and In Vivo Assays
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Clinical Trials in Chemoprevention of Head and Neck Cancers
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials Biomarkers and Multiple Drug Resistance in Breast Cancer
Current Cancer Drug Targets Tumor Markers in Patients with Benign and Malignant Pulmonary Diseases; Competitive Evaluation of ProGRP, NSE and Cyfra 21-1
Recent Patents on Biomarkers Recent Advances in Physical Delivery Enhancement of Topical Drugs
Current Pharmaceutical Design Inhibition of Anti-Apoptotic Bcl-2 Family Proteins by Natural Polyphenols New Avenues for Cancer Chemoprevention and Chemotherapy
Current Pharmaceutical Design