Pharmacological and therapeutic potentials of cordycepin in hematological malignancies

Hematological malignancies(HMs) are highly heterogeneous diseases with globally rising incidence. Despite major improvements in the management of HMs, conventional therapies have limited efficacy, and relapses with high mortality rates are still frequent. Cordycepin, a nucleoside analog extracted from Cordyceps species, represents a wide range of therapeutic effects, including anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-metastatic activities. Cordycepin induces apoptosis in different subtypes of HMs by triggering adenosine receptors, death receptors, and several vital signaling pathways such as MAPK, ERK, PI3K, AKT, and GSK-3β/β-catenin. This review article summarizes the impact of utilizing cordycepin on HMs, and highlights its potential as a promising avenue for future cancer research based on evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies, as well as clinical trials.