Recent discovery of non-nucleobase thymidine phosphorylase inhibitors targeting cancer

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Oncology

Background:

• Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) is crucial in pyrimidine metabolism and linked to cancer progression.
• TP overexpression correlates with increased angiogenesis and metastasis in solid tumors.
• TP also enhances tumor cell survival by inhibiting apoptosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the structure and function of Thymidine phosphorylase (TP).
• To provide an overview of recent advancements in non-nucleobase TP inhibitors.
• To highlight the potential of these inhibitors as novel anticancer agents.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) structure, function, and inhibition.
• Analysis of studies investigating pyrimidine and non-nucleobase derivatives as TP inhibitors.
• Synthesis and evaluation of novel non-nucleobase compounds targeting TP.

Main Results:

• Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) is significantly upregulated in various solid tumors.
• TP promotes angiogenesis and metastasis through factors like VEGF and MMPs.
• Structurally diverse non-nucleobase derivatives have emerged as potent TP inhibitors.

Conclusions:

• Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) is a validated therapeutic target for cancer treatment.
• Non-nucleobase TP inhibitors represent a promising new class of anticancer drugs.
• Further research into non-nucleobase TP inhibitors could lead to effective cancer therapies.