Title:Anti-Cancer Stem Cells Potentiality of an Anti-Malarial Agent Quinacrine: An Old Wine in a New Bottle
VOLUME: 21 ISSUE: 4
Author(s):Biswajit Das and Chanakya N. Kundu*
Affiliation:Cancer Biology Division, School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Deemed to be University, Campus-11, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024, Cancer Biology Division, School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Deemed to be University, Campus-11, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024
Keywords:Quinacrine, anti-cancer potentiality, cancer stem cells, metastasis, angiogenesis, cancer stem cell signaling.
Abstract:Quinacrine (QC) is a tricyclic compound and a derivative of 9-aminoacridine. It has been widely used
to treat malaria and other parasitic diseases since the last century. Interestingly, studies have revealed that it also
displays anti-cancer activities. Here, we have discussed the anti-cancer mechanism of QC along with its potentiality
to specifically target cancer stem cells. The anti-cancer action of this drug includes DNA intercalation,
inhibition of DNA repair mechanism, prevention of cellular growth, cell cycle arrest, inhibition of DNA and
RNA polymerase activity, induction of autophagy, promotion of apoptosis, deregulation of cell signaling in
cancer cells and cancer stem cells, inhibition of metastasis and angiogenesis. In addition, we have also emphasized
on the synergistic effect of this drug with other potent chemotherapeutic agents and mentioned its different
applications in anti-cancer therapy.
