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Nitric oxide donors for prostate and bladder cancers: Current state and challenges

Amedea B Seabra1, Nelson Durán2

  • 1Center for Natural and Human Sciences, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil; NanoBioss Lab., Chemistry Institute, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil; Nanomedicine Research Unit (NANOMED), Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil.

European Journal of Pharmacology
|March 5, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Nitric oxide (NO) at high concentrations can suppress tumors, particularly prostate and bladder cancers. Combining NO donors with traditional therapies may enhance treatment efficacy, though clinical translation requires further research.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Nitric oxide (NO) is an endogenous signaling molecule with dual roles in cancer biology.
  • Low NO concentrations can promote tumor growth, while high concentrations exhibit anti-cancer effects.
  • Prostate and bladder cancers are significant health concerns for men.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of nitric oxide (NO) and NO donors in treating prostate and bladder cancers.
  • To highlight the potential of NO donors as therapeutic agents and in combination therapies.
  • To identify challenges and future directions for NO-based cancer treatments.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on nitric oxide (NO) and NO donors in cancer.
  • Analysis of NO's concentration-dependent effects on tumor cells and immune surveillance.
  • Examination of combination therapies involving NO donors with radio- or chemotherapy.

Main Results:

  • High concentrations of NO, often produced by inducible NO synthase (iNOS), demonstrate pro-apoptotic and tumor-suppressive functions.
  • NO donors show promise in combating prostate and bladder cancers.
  • Combining NO donors with conventional therapies can enhance drug efficacy and inhibit tumor growth by sensitizing cancer cells.

Conclusions:

  • Nitric oxide (NO) plays a critical role in cancer, with high concentrations offering therapeutic potential against prostate and bladder cancers.
  • NO donors, especially in combination with existing treatments, represent a promising strategy for cancer therapy.
  • Further research is essential to overcome limitations and facilitate the clinical application of NO donor-based cancer treatments.
Keywords:
Nitric oxidebladder cancernitric oxide donorsprostate cancersolid tumors

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