Experimental therapeutics: Targeting the redox Achilles heel of cancer

C. M. Cabello, W. B. Bair, G. T. Wondrak

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

112 Scopus citations

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have recently emerged as promising targets for anticancer drug discovery. Constitutively elevated levels of cellular oxidative stress and dependence on mitogenic and anti-apoptotic ROS signaling represent a specific vulnerability of malignant cells that can be selectively targeted by novel pro- and antioxidant redox chemotherapeutics. This review discusses small-molecule anticancer redox drugs currently in various phases of preclinical and clinical development that are characterized by their unique mechanism of action, including small-molecule superoxide dismutase and catalase mimetics, bioreductively activated pro-oxidant redox catalysts, metal-based pro-oxidants, hypoxia-selective free radical precursors, and specific antagonists of the cancer cell antioxidant glutathione or thioredoxin redox systems. Based on ongoing redox biomarker discovery and validation, future redox phenotyping and genotyping may guide the selection of novel redox chemotherapeutics that efficiently target the redox Achilles heel of the individual tumor.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1022-1037
Number of pages16
JournalCurrent Opinion in Investigational Drugs
Volume8
Issue number12
StatePublished - Dec 12 2007

Keywords

  • Antioxidant
  • Cancer
  • Pro-oxidant
  • Reactive oxygen species
  • Redox chemotherapeutics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology
  • Drug Discovery

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Experimental therapeutics: Targeting the redox Achilles heel of cancer'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this