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Published on: January 18, 2017

Chemopreventive Properties of Tolfenamic Acid: A Mechanistic Review

David Feldman1, Elizabeth Leahy1, Seong-Ho Lee1

  • 1Department of Nutrition and Food Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, United States.

Current Medicinal Chemistry
|April 18, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Tolfenamic acid, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), shows promise as an anti-cancer agent. Research highlights its molecular mechanisms and potential for combination therapy in cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Tolfenamic acid is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) traditionally used for inflammation, migraines, and pain.
  • Emerging evidence suggests tolfenamic acid exhibits anti-cancer properties, necessitating further investigation into its mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer activity of tolfenamic acid.
  • To explore the potential of tolfenamic acid as a therapeutic agent for cancer treatment.
  • To review the benefits of combining tolfenamic acid with other anti-cancer drugs.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of gene expression changes induced by tolfenamic acid, focusing on cancer hallmarks.
  • Investigation of tolfenamic acid's impact on multiple oncogenic and tumor-suppressive signaling pathways in various cancer models.
  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on tolfenamic acid's anti-cancer effects.

Main Results:

  • Tolfenamic acid alters gene expression related to apoptosis, growth arrest, angiogenesis, and metastasis.
  • The drug targets several key signaling pathways implicated in cancer development and progression.
  • Experimental data supports the anti-cancer potential of tolfenamic acid across different cancer types.

Conclusions:

  • Tolfenamic acid demonstrates multifaceted anti-cancer mechanisms by modulating critical cellular pathways.
  • Its ability to target multiple cancer hallmarks makes it a promising candidate for novel cancer therapies.
  • Combination therapy with tolfenamic acid and other anti-cancer agents may enhance treatment efficacy.
Keywords:
Angiogenesisapoptosisgrowth arrestmechanismmetastasistolfenamic acid.

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