Anticancer activities, structure-activity relationship, and mechanism of action of 12-, 14-, and 16-membered macrolactones
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Updated: Nov 1, 2025

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Published on: October 25, 2024
1Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Abstract:
Cancer remains one of the major causes of death worldwide despite the encouraging breakthroughs in the discovery of novel chemotherapeutic agents in recent years. The development of new effective anticancer candidates still represents a challenging endeavor due to the severe anticancer demands and the emergence of drug-resistant, especially multidrug-resistant, cancers. Macrolactones could regulate multiple signaling pathways in cancer cells and demonstrated potential anticancer effects, including inhibition of proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenic activity. Accordingly, macrolactones possess excellent efficacy against both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant cancer cells, and the rational design of macrolactones may provide valuable therapeutic interventions for cancers. The purpose of this review is as follows: (1) outline the recent advances made in the development of 12-, 14-, and 16-membered macrolactones with anticancer potential; (2) summarize the structure-activity relationship; and (3) discuss their anticancer mechanisms.
Insights
Macrolactones show promise as anticancer agents, effectively targeting both drug-sensitive and multidrug-resistant cancers by inhibiting proliferation and metastasis. Further research into their structure-activity relationships and mechanisms can lead to novel cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Pharmacology
- Oncology
Background:
- Cancer remains a leading global cause of death, with drug resistance posing a significant challenge.
- Novel chemotherapeutic agents are crucial for overcoming treatment limitations and improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advances in 12-, 14-, and 16-membered macrolactones with anticancer potential.
- To summarize the structure-activity relationships of these macrolactones.
- To discuss the anticancer mechanisms of macrolactones.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on macrolactone development.
- Analysis of structure-activity relationships.
- Compilation of data on anticancer mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Macrolactones exhibit anticancer effects, including inhibition of proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis.
- These compounds are effective against both drug-sensitive and multidrug-resistant cancer cells.
- Rational design of macrolactones offers therapeutic potential.
Conclusions:
- Macrolactones represent a promising class of compounds for cancer treatment.
- Understanding their mechanisms and structure-activity relationships is key to developing new anticancer drugs.
- Further investigation into macrolactones could yield valuable therapeutic interventions for various cancers.
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