Abstract
This meta-analysis examines a wide range of small molecule anticancer drugs to search for a structure common to all. Although they encompass a very wide range of structures, nearly all reveal the presence of an allylic O, N, or S atom. In some, the allylic oxygen is a carbonyl group, or an alcohol group, which can be substituted (ester, lactone, glycoside, ether) or replaced by an amino or imino nitrogen Some antineoplastic drugs do not exhibit this moiety but are converted in vivo to allylic derivatives. An allylic hydroxyl is also present in most sphingolipids, ubiquitous body components that control proliferative and anti-proliferative cell functions. Ceramide, the precursor of all the allylic sphingolipids, seems to be a general inducer of apoptosis in cancer cells. Further examination of sphingolipids and anticancer drugs shows the frequent occurrence of [i] double bonds conjugated to the allylic bond, (ii) two or more allylic moieties in each molecule, (iii) lipophilic features, especially linear chains, and (iv) attachment of an O, N, or S atom to a carbon atom of the allylic double bond, e.g., -CH2-C(OMe)=CH-CH(OH)-CH2-. Suggested mechanisms of action: (a) allylic ketone drugs undergo a Michael condensation with tumor thiols or other reactive groups; (b) allylic OH drugs undergo oxidation to an allylic ketone, generating reactive oxygen; (c) some interfere with mitochondrial ubiquinone, blocking ATP production; (d) some act as a ceramide mimic (inhibitor or agonist) in ceramide-controlled kinases, phosphatases, and proteases; (e) many antineoplastic drugs stimulate ceramide-forming processes.
Keywords: Allylic anticancer drugs, thiol condensations, ceramide in cancer therapy, reactive oxygen species, ubiquinone interference, sphingolipids as coenzymes
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Meta-Analysis of Anticancer Drug Structures - Significance of Their Polar Allylic Moieties
Volume: 7 Issue: 2
Author(s): Norman S. Radin
Affiliation:
Keywords: Allylic anticancer drugs, thiol condensations, ceramide in cancer therapy, reactive oxygen species, ubiquinone interference, sphingolipids as coenzymes
Abstract: This meta-analysis examines a wide range of small molecule anticancer drugs to search for a structure common to all. Although they encompass a very wide range of structures, nearly all reveal the presence of an allylic O, N, or S atom. In some, the allylic oxygen is a carbonyl group, or an alcohol group, which can be substituted (ester, lactone, glycoside, ether) or replaced by an amino or imino nitrogen Some antineoplastic drugs do not exhibit this moiety but are converted in vivo to allylic derivatives. An allylic hydroxyl is also present in most sphingolipids, ubiquitous body components that control proliferative and anti-proliferative cell functions. Ceramide, the precursor of all the allylic sphingolipids, seems to be a general inducer of apoptosis in cancer cells. Further examination of sphingolipids and anticancer drugs shows the frequent occurrence of [i] double bonds conjugated to the allylic bond, (ii) two or more allylic moieties in each molecule, (iii) lipophilic features, especially linear chains, and (iv) attachment of an O, N, or S atom to a carbon atom of the allylic double bond, e.g., -CH2-C(OMe)=CH-CH(OH)-CH2-. Suggested mechanisms of action: (a) allylic ketone drugs undergo a Michael condensation with tumor thiols or other reactive groups; (b) allylic OH drugs undergo oxidation to an allylic ketone, generating reactive oxygen; (c) some interfere with mitochondrial ubiquinone, blocking ATP production; (d) some act as a ceramide mimic (inhibitor or agonist) in ceramide-controlled kinases, phosphatases, and proteases; (e) many antineoplastic drugs stimulate ceramide-forming processes.
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Radin S. Norman, Meta-Analysis of Anticancer Drug Structures - Significance of Their Polar Allylic Moieties, Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2007; 7 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152007780058696
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152007780058696 |
Print ISSN 1871-5206 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5992 |
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