Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 25, 2026

Monitoring of Nanodrug Accumulation in Murine Breast Cancer Metastases
09:48

Monitoring of Nanodrug Accumulation in Murine Breast Cancer Metastases

Published on: August 23, 2024

865

Site-directed delivery of nitric oxide to cancers

Kavita Sharma1, Harinath Chakrapani1

  • 1Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune, 411 008 Maharashtra, India.

Nitric Oxide : Biology and Chemistry
|August 16, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Nitric oxide (NO) shows promise in cancer treatment. Enzyme-activated NO donors offer a targeted approach for cancer therapy, potentially enhancing drug efficacy by inhibiting drug efflux pumps.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Cancer Therapeutics
  • Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

  • Nitric oxide (NO) is a crucial biological mediator with demonstrated toxicity to cancer cells.
  • Developing strategies for site-directed delivery of NO to tumors is a key area of cancer research.
  • NO's role in inhibiting cellular drug efflux pumps offers potential for combination cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the design and development of enzymatic approaches for site-directed nitric oxide delivery to cancers.
  • To explore the potential of enzyme-activated NO donors in cancer treatment.
  • To highlight the advantages of diazeniumdiolate-based NO donors for controlled NO generation and selectivity.

Main Methods:

  • Review of literature on enzymatic activation of nitric oxide donors.
  • Focus on diazeniumdiolate prodrugs activated by enzymes like esterase, glutathione S-transferase, DT-diaphorase, and nitroreductase.
  • Analysis of strategies for site-selective delivery of exogenous NO sources.

Main Results:

  • Enzyme-activated nitric oxide donors provide precise control over NO release rates and selectivity.
  • These prodrugs can be designed for targeted activation within tumor environments.
  • The secondary effects of NO, such as inhibiting drug efflux pumps, can enhance the efficacy of co-administered chemotherapeutics.

Conclusions:

  • Enzymatic site-directed delivery of nitric oxide represents a promising strategy for cancer therapy.
  • Diazeniumdiolate donors activated by specific enzymes offer advantages for targeted NO release.
  • This approach holds potential for improving cancer treatment outcomes, particularly in combination therapies.
Keywords:
DiazeniumdiolateDrug deliveryEnzymeGlutathioneProdrug

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Innovative Cancer Therapies with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Glioblastoma Treatment09:02

Author Spotlight: Innovative Cancer Therapies with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Glioblastoma Treatment

Published on: September 27, 2024

2.2K
Application of Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Nitric Oxide (NO•) Probes, the geNOps, for Real-time Imaging of NO• Signals in Single Cells08:32

Application of Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Nitric Oxide (NO•) Probes, the geNOps, for Real-time Imaging of NO• Signals in Single Cells

Published on: March 16, 2017

13.7K

Related Concept Videos

Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway01:28

Nitric Oxide Signaling Pathway

Nitric oxide (NO), an inorganic gas, acts as a potent second messenger in most animal and plant tissues. NO diffuses out of the cells that produce it and enters the neighboring cells to generate a downstream response. NO synthase (NOS) catalyzes NO production by the deamination of the amino acid arginine. There are three isoforms of NOS. Endothelial cells have endothelial NOS (eNOS), nerve and muscle cells have neuronal NOS (nNOS), and macrophages produce inducible NOS (iNOS) upon exposure...
5.2K
Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Site-Targeted01:24

Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Site-Targeted

Site-targeted drug delivery systems enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic toxicity and treatment costs. Unlike conventional methods, these systems ensure precise drug delivery, improving bioavailability and reducing side effects. Targeted drug delivery is classified into three levels. First-order targeting directs drugs to the capillary beds of specific organs or tissues. Second-order targets specific cell types, such as tumor cells, using receptor-mediated interactions.
160
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...
7.0K
Drug Delivery: Enteral Route01:18

Drug Delivery: Enteral Route

The enteral drug administration involves three primary routes: oral, sublingual, and buccal. Oral ingestion is the most prevalent, safe, economical, and convenient method for drug administration. However, it has certain drawbacks, including limited absorption due to the drug's low water solubility or poor membrane permeability, possible emesis from GI mucosa irritation, destruction of drugs by digestive enzymes or low gastric pH, and irregular absorption along with food or other drugs.
2.8K