Targets in anticancer research--A review

Cancer is a complex disease characterized by a loss in the normal cell regulatory mechanisms that govern cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation. Current chemotherapeutics, as anticancer agents, are developing resistance to single drug and also to treatment therapies involving multiple drugs. Cross resistance associated with the specificity and selectivity of existing drugs has restricted the application of chemotherapy. Alternatively, these limitations have given better insight in understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for the development of various stages in cancer. In the light of this, continuous efforts are being made in order to identify and validate newer anticancer targets. This review presents some of the important targets that have been already reported, such as aromatase, farnesyl transferase, histone deacetylase, tyrosine kinase and cyclin-dependent kinase. A few molecules designed against these targets have successfully reached clinical trials. However, only limited marketed drugs are available from these classes. Besides, the review also highlights some of the other important targets and strategies that have also drawn considerable attention in the area of anticancer drug development such as, cancer stem cells and monoclonal antibodies. Further, the integration of the tools in molecular biology with the results from preclinical and clinical trials would strengthen the effectiveness of treatment regimens in cancer patients. There lies a much scope for designing promising lead compounds and treatment therapies against these established targets.

In vivo radioprotection studies of 3,3'-diselenodipropionic acid, a selenocystine derivative

3,3'-Diselenodipropionic acid (DSePA), a diselenide and a derivative of selenocystine, was evaluated for in vivo radioprotective effects in Swiss albino mice, at an intraperitoneal dose of 2 mg/kg body wt, for 5 days before whole-body exposure to gamma-radiation. The radioprotective efficacy was evaluated by assessing protection of the hepatic tissue, the spleen, and the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and survival against sub- and supralethal doses of gamma-radiation. DSePA inhibited radiation-induced hepatic lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, loss of hepatic function, and damage to the hepatic architecture. DSePA also attenuated the depletion of endogenous antioxidants such as glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in the livers of irradiated mice. DSePA also restored the radiation-induced reduction in villus height, crypt cell numbers, and spleen cellularity, indicating protective effects on the GI tract and the hematopoietic system. The results from single-cell gel electrophoresis of the peripheral blood leukocytes showed that DSePA can attenuate radiation-induced DNA damage. The mRNA expression analysis of genes revealed that DSePA augmented GADD45alpha and inhibited p21 in both spleen and liver tissues. DSePA also inhibited radiation-induced apoptosis in the spleen and reversed radiation-induced alterations in the expression of the proapoptotic BAX and the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 genes. In line with these observations, DSePA improved the 30-day survival of irradiated mice by 35.3%. In conclusion, these findings clearly confirm that DSePA exhibits protective effects against whole-body gamma-radiation and the probable mechanisms of action involve the maintenance of antioxidant enzymes, prophylactic action through the attenuation of the DNA damage, and inhibition of apoptosis.

Syntheses of novel exo and endo isomers of ansa-substituted fluorophosphazenes and their facile transformations into spiro isomers in the presence of fluoride ions

Reactions of the dilithiated diols RCH2P(S)(CH2OLi)2 [R = Fc (1), Ph (2) (Fc = ferrocenyl)] with N3P3F6 in equimolar ratios at -80 degrees C result exclusively in the formation of two structural isomers of ansa-substituted compounds, endo-RCH2P(S)(CH2O)2[P(F)N]2(F2PN) [R = Fc (3a), Ph (4a)] and exo-RCH2P(S)(CH2O)2[P(F)N]2(F2PN) [R = Fc (3b), Ph (4b)], which are separated by column chromatography. Increasing the reaction temperature to -40 degrees C results in more of the exo isomers 3b and 4b at the expense of the endo isomers. The formation of the ansa-substituted compounds is found to depend on the dilithiation of the diols, as a reaction of the silylated phosphine sulfide FcCH2P(S)(CH2OSiMe3)2 (5) with N3P3F6 in the presence of CsF does not yield either 3a or 3b but instead gives the spiro isomer [FcCH2P(S)(CH2O)2 PN](F2PN)2 (6) as the disubstitution product of N3P3F6. The ansa isomers 3a and 3b are transformed into the spiro compound 6 in the presence of catalytic amounts of CsF at room temperature in THF, while 4a and 4b are transformed into the spiro compound [PhCH2P(S)(CH2O)2PN](F2PN)2 (7) under similar conditions. The novel conversions of ansa-substituted phosphazenes into spirocyclic phosphazenes were monitored by time-dependent 31P NMR spectroscopy. The effect of temperature on a transformation was studied by carrying out reactions at various temperatures in the range from -60 to +33 degrees C for 3b. In addition, compounds 3a, 3b, 4a, and 6 were structurally characterized. In the case of the ansa compounds, the nitrogen atom flanked by the bridging phosphorus sites was found to deviate significantly from the plane defined by the five remaining atoms of the phosphazene ring.