Iron and Copper Intracellular Chelation as an Anticancer Drug Strategy

Kavita Gaur; Alexandra  M. Vázquez-Salgado; Geraldo Duran-Camacho; Irivette Dominguez-Martinez; Josué  A. Benjamín-Rivera; Lauren Fernández-Vega; Lesly Carmona Sarabia; Angelys Cruz García; Felipe Pérez-Deliz; José  A. Méndez Román; Melissa Vega-Cartagena; Sergio  A. Loza-Rosas; Xaymara Rodriguez Acevedo; Arthur  D. Tinoco

doi:10.3390/inorganics6040126

Inorganics (Nov 2018)

Iron and Copper Intracellular Chelation as an Anticancer Drug Strategy

Kavita Gaur,
Alexandra M. Vázquez-Salgado,
Geraldo Duran-Camacho,
Irivette Dominguez-Martinez,
Josué A. Benjamín-Rivera,
Lauren Fernández-Vega,
Lesly Carmona Sarabia,
Angelys Cruz García,
Felipe Pérez-Deliz,
José A. Méndez Román,
Melissa Vega-Cartagena,
Sergio A. Loza-Rosas,
Xaymara Rodriguez Acevedo,
Arthur D. Tinoco

Affiliations

Kavita Gaur: Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, PR 00931, USA
Alexandra M. Vázquez-Salgado: Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, PR 00931, USA
Geraldo Duran-Camacho: Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, PR 00931, USA
Irivette Dominguez-Martinez: Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, PR 00931, USA
Josué A. Benjamín-Rivera: Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, PR 00931, USA
Lauren Fernández-Vega: Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, PR 00931, USA
Lesly Carmona Sarabia: Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, PR 00931, USA
Angelys Cruz García: Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, PR 00931, USA
Felipe Pérez-Deliz: Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, PR 00931, USA
José A. Méndez Román: Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, PR 00931, USA
Melissa Vega-Cartagena: Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, PR 00931, USA
Sergio A. Loza-Rosas: Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, PR 00931, USA
Xaymara Rodriguez Acevedo: Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, PR 00931, USA
Arthur D. Tinoco: Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Río Piedras, PR 00931, USA

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics6040126
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 6, no. 4
p. 126

Abstract

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A very promising direction in the development of anticancer drugs is inhibiting the molecular pathways that keep cancer cells alive and able to metastasize. Copper and iron are two essential metals that play significant roles in the rapid proliferation of cancer cells and several chelators have been studied to suppress the bioavailability of these metals in the cells. This review discusses the major contributions that Cu and Fe play in the progression and spreading of cancer and evaluates select Cu and Fe chelators that demonstrate great promise as anticancer drugs. Efforts to improve the cellular delivery, efficacy, and tumor responsiveness of these chelators are also presented including a transmetallation strategy for dual targeting of Cu and Fe. To elucidate the effectiveness and specificity of Cu and Fe chelators for treating cancer, analytical tools are described for measuring Cu and Fe levels and for tracking the metals in cells, tissue, and the body.

Published in Inorganics

ISSN: 2304-6740 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Chemistry: Inorganic chemistry
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/Inorganics

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