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Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
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Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
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Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
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Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
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Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells02:53

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Exploring the Regulation of Lipid Droplet Catabolism through Lipophagy
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Sphingolipid modulation: a strategy for cancer therapy.

Antonio Delgado1, Gemma Fabrias, Carmen Bedia

  • 1Spanish National Research Council (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, CSIC), Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), Barcelona, Spain. adelgado@cid.csic.es

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|August 26, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Small molecules targeting sphingolipid metabolism offer new therapeutic strategies for cancer. These compounds, including enzyme inhibitors and analogs, can restore cell homeostasis or induce cancer cell death.

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Published on: December 26, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Sphingolipids are crucial membrane lipids regulating cell functions and homeostasis.
  • Metabolic alterations in sphingolipids are linked to various pathologies, including cancer.
  • Dysregulated sphingolipid metabolism in cancer presents opportunities for novel therapeutic targets.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in small molecule development for modulating sphingolipid metabolism.
  • To highlight enzyme inhibitors and sphingolipid analogs as potential anticancer agents.
  • To discuss the utility of these molecules as pharmacological tools for studying sphingolipid function.

Main Methods:

  • Focus on the development of small molecules, primarily enzyme inhibitors.
  • Exploration of sphingolipid analogs for therapeutic intervention.
  • Review of recent scientific literature on sphingolipid metabolism and cancer.

Main Results:

  • Small molecules can restore physiological sphingolipid levels or disrupt cancer-promoting pathways.
  • Enzyme inhibitors targeting key sphingolipid metabolic pathways show promise.
  • Sphingolipid analogs can alter cellular sphingolipid balance, inducing cell death or survival.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting sphingolipid metabolism with small molecules represents a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer.
  • Developed chemical entities can serve as valuable research tools even if not progressing as drugs.
  • Further drug development can arise from modulating sphingolipid balance using analogs.