Abstract
Antimalarial drugs from different classes have demonstrated anticancer effects in different types of cancer cells, but their complete mode of action in cancer remains unknown. Recently, several studies reported the important role of palmitoyl-protein thioesterase 1 (PPT1), a lysosomal enzyme, as the molecular target of chloroquine and its derivates in cancer. It was also found that PPT1 is overexpressed in different types of cancer, such as breast, colon, etc. Our group has found a synergistic interaction between antimalarial drugs, such as mefloquine, artesunate and chloroquine and antineoplastic drugs in breast cancer cells, but the mechanism of action was not determined. Here, we describe the importance of autophagy and lysosomal inhibitors in tumorigenesis and hypothesize that other antimalarial agents besides chloroquine could also interact with PPT1 and inhibit the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling, an important pathway in cancer progression. We believe that PPT1 inhibition results in changes in the lysosomal metabolism that result in less accumulation of antineoplastic drugs in lysosomes, which increases the bioavailability of the antineoplastic agents. Taken together, these mechanisms help to explain the synergism of antimalarial and antineoplastic agents in cancer cells.
Keywords: PPT1, antimalarial drugs, antineoplastic drugs, mTOR, autophagy, drug combination.
Current Drug Metabolism
Title:How Antimalarials and Antineoplastic Drugs can Interact in Combination Therapies: A Perspective on the Role of PPT1 Enzyme
Volume: 22 Issue: 13
Author(s): Diana Duarte and Nuno Vale*
Affiliation:
- OncoPharma Research Group, Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Rua Dr. Plácido da Costa, 4200-450 Porto,Portugal
Keywords: PPT1, antimalarial drugs, antineoplastic drugs, mTOR, autophagy, drug combination.
Abstract: Antimalarial drugs from different classes have demonstrated anticancer effects in different types of cancer cells, but their complete mode of action in cancer remains unknown. Recently, several studies reported the important role of palmitoyl-protein thioesterase 1 (PPT1), a lysosomal enzyme, as the molecular target of chloroquine and its derivates in cancer. It was also found that PPT1 is overexpressed in different types of cancer, such as breast, colon, etc. Our group has found a synergistic interaction between antimalarial drugs, such as mefloquine, artesunate and chloroquine and antineoplastic drugs in breast cancer cells, but the mechanism of action was not determined. Here, we describe the importance of autophagy and lysosomal inhibitors in tumorigenesis and hypothesize that other antimalarial agents besides chloroquine could also interact with PPT1 and inhibit the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling, an important pathway in cancer progression. We believe that PPT1 inhibition results in changes in the lysosomal metabolism that result in less accumulation of antineoplastic drugs in lysosomes, which increases the bioavailability of the antineoplastic agents. Taken together, these mechanisms help to explain the synergism of antimalarial and antineoplastic agents in cancer cells.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Duarte Diana and Vale Nuno*, How Antimalarials and Antineoplastic Drugs can Interact in Combination Therapies: A Perspective on the Role of PPT1 Enzyme, Current Drug Metabolism 2021; 22 (13) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389200222666211118114057
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389200222666211118114057 |
Print ISSN 1389-2002 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5453 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Impact of brain tissue binding and plasma protein binding of drugs in DMPK
The impression of brain tissue binding (BTB) or plasma protein binding (PPB) in Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics is critical to understanding the distribution, efficacy, and potential toxicity of drugs that target the central nervous system (CNS). BTB and high PPB influence the distribution of drugs in the body and their ...read more
Interaction between drugs and endocrine diseases
The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy accelerated studies and our understanding on the interaction between pharmacological therapies and endocrine diseases. Drugs can precipitate endocrine via different mechanisms, including direct alteration of hormone production and secretion, dysregulation of hormonal axis, effects on hormonal transport, receptor-binding, and cellular signalling. Common drug-induced ...read more
Metabolism-Mediated Xenobiotic Toxicity
Considering the potent modulation of biotransformation enzyme expression and activities by various therapeutic drugs and environmental chemicals, and the commonly combined exposure of humans to both drugs and the ever increasing environmental pollutants simultaneously, knowledge about the combined toxic effects by modulating biotransformation enzymes, such as P450s, UDP- glucuronosyltransferases, and ...read more
Safety evaluation of vaccine combination
Vaccine combination safety evaluation is a critical field within immunology and public health that focuses on assessing the safety and efficacy of combining different vaccines to maximize protection against various diseases while minimizing potential adverse effects. This process is significant because it ensures that vaccines can be administered together without ...read more

- Author Guidelines
- Bentham Author Support Services (BASS)
- 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
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Clinical Uses of 22-Oxacalcitriol
Current Vascular Pharmacology Bioinformatics Approach to BDNF and BDNF-Related Disorders
Current Neuropharmacology A Pharmacological Review of Five Widely Used Traditional Medicinal Plants for Sedative-Hypnotic Effects in Bangladesh
Current Traditional Medicine Genomics and Pharmacogenomics of Brain Disorders
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Bioactive Milk Lipids
Current Nutrition & Food Science A Short and Efficient Synthesis of the Selective H4 Receptor Agonist 4- Methylhistamine
Letters in Organic Chemistry Tumor-Targeted Drug Delivery with Aptamers
Current Medicinal Chemistry Effect of a Peptide Construct on Differentiated Macrophage MMP-2 and MMP-9 Levels of Varicose Patients
Current Pharmaceutical Design In Silico Dynamic Molecular Interaction Networks for the Discovery of New Therapeutic Targets
Current Pharmaceutical Design Targeting Sphingosine-1-Phosphate in Hematologic Malignancies
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Strategies to Create a Regenerating Environment for the Injured Spinal Cord
Current Pharmaceutical Design Rho Kinase and Angiogenesis
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) Gene-Gene and Gene-Clinical Factors Interaction in Acute Myocardial Infarction: A New Detailed Risk Chart
Current Pharmaceutical Design Chios Gum Mastic: A Review of its Biological Activities
Current Medicinal Chemistry Flow Injection Analysis with Immobilized Enzymes in Nonaqueous Media
Current Analytical Chemistry Updates on GMSCs Treatment for Autoimmune Diseases
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy The Failure of Immunomodulation Therapy in Heart Failure: Does the Statins “Paradigm” Prove the Rule?
Current Vascular Pharmacology Substance P and its Inhibition in Ocular Inflammation
Current Drug Targets Oxidative-Nitrosative Stress In Hypertension
Current Vascular Pharmacology Why is the Inhibition of the Renin-Angiotensin System Effective for Preventing Cardiac Events in Patients with Coronary Risk Factors or Coronary Artery Disease?
Current Cardiology Reviews