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The diverse mechanisms and anticancer potential of naphthoquinones

Carolina Escardó Pereyra1, Rafael Ferreira Dantas1, Sabrina Baptista Ferreira2

  • 11Laboratório de Bioquímica Experimental e Computacional de Fármacos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Avenida Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21040-900 Brazil.

Cancer Cell International
|August 8, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Naphthoquinones show significant anticancer properties and diverse mechanisms of action. Researchers are exploring structural modifications to enhance their therapeutic potential as novel chemotherapy drugs.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Medicinal Chemistry
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Cancer remains a leading global cause of death, necessitating novel systemic treatments.
  • Chemotherapy is the only systemic cancer treatment, driving research for potent and selective drugs.
  • Naphthoquinones, both natural and synthetic, exhibit promising anticancer activities and therapeutic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms of action of naphthoquinones in cancer.
  • To highlight novel molecular targets associated with naphthoquinone activity.
  • To summarize structural modifications aimed at optimizing naphthoquinone anticancer properties.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of reported mechanisms of action for naphthoquinones.
  • Identification and discussion of recently described molecular targets.
  • Compilation of studies involving structural modifications of naphthoquinones.

Main Results:

  • Naphthoquinones exert anticancer effects through various mechanisms, dependent on their structure.
  • Emerging research identifies novel cellular targets for naphthoquinone-based therapies.
  • Specific structural modifications have been developed to enhance the efficacy and selectivity of naphthoquinones.

Conclusions:

  • Naphthoquinones represent a promising class of compounds for cancer chemotherapy.
  • Understanding their diverse mechanisms and targets is crucial for drug development.
  • Structural optimization holds significant potential for advancing naphthoquinone-based cancer treatments.
Keywords:
Cancer drug discoveryChemotherapyMulti-target agentsNaphthoquinonesNatural compounds

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