Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 16, 2026

Paramyxoviruses for Tumor-targeted Immunomodulation: Design and Evaluation Ex Vivo
Published on: January 7, 2019
Ribavirin as a tri-targeted antitumor repositioned drug
Erick De la Cruz-Hernandez1, Jose Luis Medina-Franco2, Jaenai Trujillo3
1Multidisciplinary Academic Division of Comalcalco, Juarez Autonomous University of Tabasco, Mexico.
Abstract:
The aim of the present study was to demonstrate that ribavirin, a known inhibitor of eIF4E and inosine 5'-phosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH), also inhibits histone methyltransferase zeste homolog 2 (EZH2). A computational searching revealed that ribavirin has a high structural similarity to 3-deazaneplanocin A (DZNep). The growth inhibitory effects of ribavirin as well as its effects upon epigenetic enzymes were evaluated in various cancer cell lines. siRNA assays were used to downregulate eIF4E, EZH2 and IMPDH to determine the contribution of these targets to the growth inhibitory effects of ribavirin. Ribavirin decreased EZH2 expression, inhibited histone methyltransferase activity and decreased H3K27 trimethylation. Ribavirin induced variable growth inhibition in a number of cell lines and downregulation of the targets, EZH2, eIF4E and IMPDH1 and 2 by siRNA led to comparable growth inhibition while no significant further reduction in viability was observed when siRNA transfected cells were treated with ribavirin. The results showed that ribavirin inhibits these cancer targets and should thus be studied for cancer therapy.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
Targeted Cancer Therapies
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis
Treatment Resistent Cancers
Treatment Resistant Cancers
Targets for Drug Action: Overview
Receptors are either membrane-spanning or intracellular proteins, which upon binding a ligand, get activated and transmit the signal downstream to elicit a response. Drugs bind receptors, either mimicking the action of endogenous ligands or blocking the receptor activity to bring about a modified response. Nearly 35% of approved drugs target the G...

