Positive Health Online

Abstract

KRISHNAN and co-workers, James H. Quillen Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA, krishnak@etsu.edu, have reviewed (145 references) cancer chemoprevention drug targets. Abstract: Chemoprevention can be defined as the use of non-cytotoxic drugs and natural agents to block the progression of cells to invasive cancer. It can either prevent DNA damage that initiates the neoplastic transformation process, or reverse the progression of pre-invasive lesions. Epidemiological observations and experimental evidence from animal studies, knock-out models, cancer cell lines and clinical trials all show the efficacy of this approach. Recent advances in the understanding of carcinogenesis have led to new drugs that target specific receptors. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs affect the prostaglandin pathway. Selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors have been approved for the prevention of colon polyps in familial adenomatous polyposis. The selective oestrogen receptor antagonist, tamoxifen, has been shown to be effective in preventing breast cancer in high-risk women. Retinoids and retinoids target the retinoid receptor and have a role in the prevention of cancer of the airways, digestive tract, liver and cervix. Selenium, and inhibitor of the glutathione peroxidase, is being tested for chemoprevention of lung and prostate cancer. Vitamin E may be chemopreventive, especially its form of gamma-tocopherol according to recent evidence. The review details the rationale, experimental and clinical evidence and the drug targets of agents that are currently in clinical development.

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References

Krishnan K, Campbell S, Abdel-Rahman F, Whaley S, Stone WL. Cancer chemoprevention drug targets. Current drug targets 4 (1): 45-54, Jan 2003.