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Rationale for treatment of cancer with calcium antagonists. A review
1Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH.
Abstract:
Calcium antagonists are broad spectrum antineoplastic agents capable of influencing favorably the course of cancer by inhibiting growth factor-initiated cell activation, blocking metastasis, or reversing inherent or acquired resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. Calcium antagonists constitute an attractive category of agents for clinical trials in humans because their effects on malignancy in vivo in experimental animals are dramatic, and because there are several such agents on the market that can be adapted readily for such studies. However, an appreciation of the mechanisms of action of these drugs on cancer is essential for selection of an experimental design for therapeutic trials that will test these mechanisms adequately. The purpose of this review is to summarize available information on effects of calcium antagonists on cancer to facilitate incorporation of such drugs into therapeutic trials in human malignancy.
Insights
Calcium antagonists show promise as broad-spectrum antineoplastic agents. This review summarizes their anticancer effects, mechanisms, and potential for clinical trials in human malignancy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Calcium antagonists exhibit broad-spectrum antineoplastic properties.
- These agents can inhibit cancer cell activation, metastasis, and drug resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the effects of calcium antagonists on cancer.
- To facilitate their incorporation into human clinical trials.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on calcium antagonists and cancer.
Main Results:
- Calcium antagonists demonstrate significant anticancer effects in experimental models.
- Several available agents can be readily adapted for clinical studies.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the mechanisms of action is crucial for effective therapeutic trial design.
- Calcium antagonists represent a promising class of drugs for human cancer treatment.