Molecule anticancer drugs

Hudecz, F. Design of synthetic branched-chain polypeptides as carriers for bioactive molecules. Anticancer Drugs 6 171-193, 1995. 

The cis isomer ( cisplatin ) is an effective anticancer drug. This reflects the ability of the two Cl atoms to interact with the nitrogen atoms of DNA, a molecule responsible for cell reproduction. The trans isomer is ineffective in chemotherapy, presumably because the Q atoms are too far apart to react with a DNA molecule. 

Also nonkinase molecules might be important targets for anticancer drugs. For instance, the activity of the mitotic kinesin Eg5 (KSP, kinesin-5) can be inhibited by small molecules (e.g., monastrol, KSP-IA) resulting in mitotic defects associated with the induction of apoptosis. 

Many complexes and coordination compounds exist as isomers, compounds that contain the same numbers of the same atoms but in different arrangements. For example, the ions shown in (13a) and (13b) differ only in the positions of the Cl ligands, but they are distinct species, because they have different physical and chemical properties. Isomerism is of more than academic interest for example, anticancer drugs based on complexes of platinum are active only if they are the correct isomer. The complex needs to have a particular shape to interact with DNA molecules. 

The renaissance of the Biginelli MCR can be attributed to the obtained pyrimidine derivatives, which show remarkable pharmacological activity. A broad range of effects, including antiviral, antitumor, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory as well as antihypertensive activities has been ascribed to these partly reduced pyrimidine derivatives [96], such as 9-117 and 9-118 (antihypertensive agents) [97] and 9-119 (ala-adrenoceptor-selective antagonist) [98] (Scheme 9.24). Recently, the scope of this pharmacophore has been further increased by the identification of the 4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-pyrimidin-2-thione derivative 9-120 known as monastrol [98], a novel cell-permeable lead molecule for the development of new anticancer drugs. Monastrol appears specifically to affect cell division (mitosis) by a new mechanism,... 

Combretastatins are a class of compounds originally derived from the African Willow tree (Combretum caffrum) and are powerful reversible inhibitors of tubulin polymerization. This class of molecules has been shown to bind to the colchicine binding site of tubulin, by the same mode of action as mentioned above (Sect. 1.2). Combretastatins consist of a ris-slilbcnc core structure. To date, there have been several compounds that have shown promise as potential anticancer drugs. However, development of these compounds as anticancer agents is limited by issues of chemical stability, bioavailibilty, toxicity, and solubility. 

This chapter has introduced the aldol and related allylation reactions of carbonyl compounds, the allylation of imine compounds, and Mannich-type reactions. Double asymmetric synthesis creates two chiral centers in one step and is regarded as one of the most efficient synthetic strategies in organic synthesis. The aldol and related reactions discussed in this chapter are very important reactions in organic synthesis because the reaction products constitute the backbone of many important antibiotics, anticancer drugs, and other bioactive molecules. Indeed, study of the aldol reaction is still actively pursued in order to improve reaction conditions, enhance stereoselectivity, and widen the scope of applicability of this type of reaction. 

The overexpression of GSTs in some cancer cells, particularly of GST Pl-1, offers an opportunity to detect and treat some cancer types (e.g., ovarian cancer). Recent developments in the design of small molecules that either inhibit the catalytic activity of GST Pl-1 or use GST Pl-1 catalytic site to release the actual anticancer agent, have shown promising results in preclinical studies, with the graduation of 66 and 96 as potential anticancer drug candidates currently undergoing clinical trials. 

As an example, we present in Exhibit 10.8 the synthesis of paditaxel (Taxol, Bristol-Myers Squibb), an important anticancer drug for breast and ovarian cancer and Kaposi sarcoma. It illustrates the complexity in the synthesis of drug molecules. 

As will be mentioned further in this chapter, the discovery of the anticancer drug, paclitaxel (21), was soon followed by sourcing issues due to the low yield of this compound in the source plant, Taxus brevifolia Nutt. This led to the semisynthesis of paclitaxel (21), from a precursor molecule, 10-deacetylbaccatin III, readily available from the leaves of Taxus baccata L., a renewable source with high yields of this compound.Docetaxel (37) is a second taxane class anticancer drug and is a semisynthetic derivative of paclitaxel (21). ... 

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