Caspase-3: A primary target for natural and synthetic compounds for cancer therapy

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Oncology

Background:

• Caspases are cysteine proteases that regulate apoptosis (programmed cell death).
• Caspase-3, an executioner caspase, is crucial for apoptosis and a significant target in cancer treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and highlight compounds that induce cancer cell death via caspase-3 mediated apoptosis.
• To underscore the therapeutic potential of targeting caspase-3 in oncology.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of various chemical scaffolds and natural products.
• Analysis of compounds reported for their caspase-3 mediated cytotoxic effects.
• Examination of FDA-approved drugs and their derivatives targeting caspase-3.

Main Results:

• Numerous synthetic compound analogues (e.g., quinazolines, chalcones) demonstrate caspase-3 mediated apoptosis.
• Natural product isolates (e.g., podophyllotoxin) also exhibit caspase-3 mediated cytotoxicity.
• Procaspase-activating compound-1 (PAC-1) and its derivative WF-208 show significant anticancer activity.

Conclusions:

• A wide array of compounds, both synthetic and natural, effectively induce cancer cell death by targeting caspase-3.
• Continued research and development are focused on introducing new caspase-3 targeting agents for cancer therapy.