Abstract
The antitumour enzyme L-asparaginase (L-asparagine amidohydrolase, EC 3.5.1.1, ASNase), which catalyses the deamidation of L-asparagine (Asn) to L-aspartic acid and ammonia, has been used for many years in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Also NK tumours, subtypes of myeloid leukaemias and T-cell lymphomas respond to ASNase, and ovarian carcinomas and other solid tumours have been proposed as additional targets for ASNase, with a potential role for its glutaminase activity. The increasing attention devoted to the antitumour activity of ASNase prompted us to analyse recent patents specifically concerning this enzyme. Here, we first give an overview of metabolic pathways affected by Asn and Gln depletion and, hence, potential targets of ASNase. We then discuss recent published patents concerning ASNases. In particular, we pay attention to novel ASNases, such as the recently characterised ASNase produced by Helicobacter pylori, and those presenting amino acid substitutions aimed at improving enzymatic activity of the classical Escherichia coli enzyme. We detail modifications, such as natural glycosylation or synthetic conjugation with other molecules, for therapeutic purposes. Finally, we analyse patents concerning biotechnological protocols and strategies applied to production of ASNase as well as to its administration and delivery in organisms.
Keywords: Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, amino acid metabolism, asparagine, cancer, glutaminase, glutamine, L-asparaginase, myeloid leukaemias, T-cell lymphomas, ovarian carcinomas
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery
Title: Expanding Targets for a Metabolic Therapy of Cancer: L-Asparaginase
Volume: 7 Issue: 1
Author(s): Daniele Covini, Saverio Tardito, Ovidio Bussolati, Laurent R. Chiarelli, Maria V. Pasquetto, Rita Digilio, Giovanna Valentini and Claudia Scotti
Affiliation:
Keywords: Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, amino acid metabolism, asparagine, cancer, glutaminase, glutamine, L-asparaginase, myeloid leukaemias, T-cell lymphomas, ovarian carcinomas
Abstract: The antitumour enzyme L-asparaginase (L-asparagine amidohydrolase, EC 3.5.1.1, ASNase), which catalyses the deamidation of L-asparagine (Asn) to L-aspartic acid and ammonia, has been used for many years in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Also NK tumours, subtypes of myeloid leukaemias and T-cell lymphomas respond to ASNase, and ovarian carcinomas and other solid tumours have been proposed as additional targets for ASNase, with a potential role for its glutaminase activity. The increasing attention devoted to the antitumour activity of ASNase prompted us to analyse recent patents specifically concerning this enzyme. Here, we first give an overview of metabolic pathways affected by Asn and Gln depletion and, hence, potential targets of ASNase. We then discuss recent published patents concerning ASNases. In particular, we pay attention to novel ASNases, such as the recently characterised ASNase produced by Helicobacter pylori, and those presenting amino acid substitutions aimed at improving enzymatic activity of the classical Escherichia coli enzyme. We detail modifications, such as natural glycosylation or synthetic conjugation with other molecules, for therapeutic purposes. Finally, we analyse patents concerning biotechnological protocols and strategies applied to production of ASNase as well as to its administration and delivery in organisms.
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Cite this article as:
Covini Daniele, Tardito Saverio, Bussolati Ovidio, R. Chiarelli Laurent, V. Pasquetto Maria, Digilio Rita, Valentini Giovanna and Scotti Claudia, Expanding Targets for a Metabolic Therapy of Cancer: L-Asparaginase, Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery 2012; 7 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157489212798358001
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157489212798358001 |
Print ISSN 1574-8928 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 2212-3970 |
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In recent years, traditional cancer treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment, etc., may damage the pathological tissue and normal cells. The ideal tumor treatment should be noninvasive, eliminating the primary tumor, making the body produce systemic tumor-specific immunity, eliminating metastases, and having less /no side effects. Recent Patents ...read more
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