Abstract
Classical chemotherapeutic agents such as mitotic inhibitors (spindle poisons), alkylating agents, antimetabolites, topoisomerase inhibitors, and anthracenediones (anthracyclines) inhibit DNA synthesis and mitosis, thereby killing or impeding the proliferation of rapidly dividing cells. During the last decade, targeted therapy has gained advantage over conventional treatment regimens, as it is more effective against cancer and also much less harmful to normal cells, thus minimizing the side-effects of chemotherapy. This type of treatment blocks the proliferation of cancer cells by inhibiting the function of specific targeted molecules needed for tumor growth and metastasis. Targeted therapy agents include monoclonal antibodies and small-molecule inhibitors, which most commonly target receptor and/or non-receptor tyrosine kinases. Most members of the BCL2 apoptosis-related family regulate cellular fate as a response to antineoplastic agents. Modulations at the mRNA and protein levels of these genes are usually associated with sensitivity or resistance of various types of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs. Moreover, alterations in expression of BCL2-family members, induced by anticancer drug treatment, can trigger or simply facilitate apoptosis. In this review, we summarize information about changes in apoptosis-related gene expression caused directly or indirectly by antineoplastic agents, as well as about the impact of BCL2-family members on the chemosensitivity or chemoresistance of cancer cells.
Keywords: Anticancer agents, antineoplastic agents, chemotherapeutic drugs, molecular tumor markers, monoclonal antibody therapy, targeted therapy.
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
Title:Apoptosis-related BCL2-family Members: Key Players in Chemotherapy
Volume: 14 Issue: 3
Author(s): Christos K. Kontos, Maria-Ioanna Christodoulou and Andreas Scorilas
Affiliation:
Keywords: Anticancer agents, antineoplastic agents, chemotherapeutic drugs, molecular tumor markers, monoclonal antibody therapy, targeted therapy.
Abstract: Classical chemotherapeutic agents such as mitotic inhibitors (spindle poisons), alkylating agents, antimetabolites, topoisomerase inhibitors, and anthracenediones (anthracyclines) inhibit DNA synthesis and mitosis, thereby killing or impeding the proliferation of rapidly dividing cells. During the last decade, targeted therapy has gained advantage over conventional treatment regimens, as it is more effective against cancer and also much less harmful to normal cells, thus minimizing the side-effects of chemotherapy. This type of treatment blocks the proliferation of cancer cells by inhibiting the function of specific targeted molecules needed for tumor growth and metastasis. Targeted therapy agents include monoclonal antibodies and small-molecule inhibitors, which most commonly target receptor and/or non-receptor tyrosine kinases. Most members of the BCL2 apoptosis-related family regulate cellular fate as a response to antineoplastic agents. Modulations at the mRNA and protein levels of these genes are usually associated with sensitivity or resistance of various types of cancer cells to chemotherapeutic drugs. Moreover, alterations in expression of BCL2-family members, induced by anticancer drug treatment, can trigger or simply facilitate apoptosis. In this review, we summarize information about changes in apoptosis-related gene expression caused directly or indirectly by antineoplastic agents, as well as about the impact of BCL2-family members on the chemosensitivity or chemoresistance of cancer cells.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Kontos K. Christos, Christodoulou Maria-Ioanna and Scorilas Andreas, Apoptosis-related BCL2-family Members: Key Players in Chemotherapy, Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2014; 14 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/18715206113139990091
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/18715206113139990091 |
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
-
Quantitative Molecular Imaging of Neuronal Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in the Human Brain with A-85380 Radiotracers
Current Medical Imaging Yttrium-90 – Current Status, Expected Availability and Applications of a High Beta Energy Emitter
Current Radiopharmaceuticals Role of the Cannabinoid System in Pain Control and Therapeutic Implications for the Management of Acute and Chronic Pain Episodes
Current Neuropharmacology Anticancer α-Helical Peptides and Structure / Function Relationships Underpinning Their Interactions with Tumour Cell Membranes
Current Protein & Peptide Science The Post Hoc Use of Randomised Controlled Trials to Explore Drug Associated Cancer Outcomes: Methodological Challenges
Current Drug Safety Himalayan Plants as a Source of Anti-Cancer Agents: A Review
The Natural Products Journal Natural and Synthetic Agents Targeting Inflammation and Angiogenesis for Chemoprevention of Prostate Cancer
Current Cancer Drug Targets Curcumin as an Anti-Cancer Agent: Review of the Gap Between Basic and Clinical Applications
Current Medicinal Chemistry MicroRNAs: Potential Diagnostic and Therapeutic Targets for Breast Cancer
Epigenetic Diagnosis & Therapy (Discontinued) Nutritional Antioxidants and Adaptive Cell Responses: An Update
Current Molecular Medicine Polymeric Nanocarriers: New Endeavors for the Optimization of the Technological Aspects of Drugs
Recent Patents on Biomedical Engineering (Discontinued) Reactive Oxygen Species in Cancer Biology and Anticancer Therapy
Current Medicinal Chemistry Cancer Drug Development with the Help of Radiopharmaceuticals: Academic Experience
Current Pharmaceutical Design High Throughput Screening of Normal and Neoplastic Tissue Samples
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Point of NO Return for Nitrergic Nerves in Diabetes: A New Insight into Diabetic Complications
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Role of CD40 Expression in Dendritic Cells in Cancer Biology; A Systematic Review
Current Cancer Drug Targets Nutraceutical: A Drug, Dietary Supplement and Food Ingredient
Current Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine Pharmacological Activity of Natural Non-glycosylated Triterpenes
Mini-Reviews in Organic Chemistry Properties of the Mesenchymal Endometriotic Stem Cell in the Context of the Immune System and Analysis of its Role in Endometriosis
Recent Patents on Regenerative Medicine Genetic Engineering - A New Era for Cancer Immunotherapy?
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews