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A Small Sugar Molecule with Huge Potential in Targeted Cancer Therapy
Gabriela Pastuch-Gawołek1,2, Julia Szreder1, Monika Domińska1
1Department of Organic Chemistry, Bioorganic Chemistry and Biotechnology, Silesian University of Technology, B. Krzywoustego 4, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland.
Abstract:
The number of cancer-related diseases is still growing. Despite the availability of a large number of anticancer drugs, the ideal drug is still being sought that would be effective, selective, and overcome the effect of multidrug resistance. Therefore, researchers are still looking for ways to improve the properties of already-used chemotherapeutics. One of the possibilities is the development of targeted therapies. The use of prodrugs that release the bioactive substance only under the influence of factors characteristic of the tumor microenvironment makes it possible to deliver the drug precisely to the cancer cells. Obtaining such compounds is possible by coupling a therapeutic agent with a ligand targeting receptors, to which the attached ligand shows affinity and is overexpressed in cancer cells. Another way is to encapsulate the drug in a carrier that is stable in physiological conditions and sensitive to conditions of the tumor microenvironment. Such a carrier can be directed by attaching to it a ligand recognized by receptors typical of tumor cells. Sugars seem to be ideal ligands for obtaining prodrugs targeted at receptors overexpressed in cancer cells. They can also be ligands modifying polymers' drug carriers. Furthermore, polysaccharides can act as selective nanocarriers for numerous chemotherapeutics. The proof of this thesis is the huge number of papers devoted to their use for modification or targeted transport of anticancer compounds. In this work, selected examples of broad-defined sugars application for improving the properties of both already-used drugs and substances exhibiting anticancer activity are presented.
Insights
Researchers are exploring sugars to enhance anticancer drug delivery. These sugar-modified prodrugs and carriers target cancer cells specifically, improving drug efficacy and overcoming resistance.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Growing incidence of cancer necessitates improved therapeutic strategies.
- Existing anticancer drugs face challenges with efficacy, selectivity, and multidrug resistance.
- Targeted drug delivery aims to enhance therapeutic outcomes and minimize side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the application of sugars in developing targeted anticancer therapies.
- To highlight the role of sugars as ligands and carriers for anticancer agents.
- To present examples of sugar-modified drugs and drug delivery systems.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies utilizing sugars for anticancer drug modification and delivery.
- Analysis of prodrug strategies involving sugar ligands targeting cancer cell receptors.
- Examination of polysaccharide-based nanocarriers for selective drug encapsulation and release.
- Discussion of receptor-mediated targeting using sugar moieties.
Main Results:
- Sugars serve as effective ligands for targeting receptors overexpressed on cancer cells.
- Polysaccharides can function as selective nanocarriers for chemotherapeutics.
- Sugar conjugation can create prodrugs that release active agents in the tumor microenvironment.
- Sugar modification of drug carriers enhances targeting and stability.
Conclusions:
- Sugars offer a promising approach for developing targeted anticancer prodrugs and drug delivery systems.
- The use of sugars can improve the selectivity and efficacy of existing and novel anticancer agents.
- Further research into sugar-based strategies holds potential for overcoming challenges in cancer therapy.
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