Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry最新文献

{"title":"Study on the Mechanism of Post-Chemotherapy Metastasis in Breast Cancer Based on Metabolomics and Development of TCM Metabolic Regulators.","authors":"Zhe Yu, Weiqi Wang, Junjie Tao, Ye Qiu, Mengyuan Wang, Zhidong Qiu, Wanfang Zhu","doi":"10.2174/0118715206433354251202101936","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118715206433354251202101936","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Breast cancer (BC) is a leading global malignancy in women. Although central to treatment, chemotherapy may paradoxically promote metastasis. The role of metabolic changes in chemotherapy- induced metastasis remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the association between metabolic alterations and BC metastasis after CMF (cyclophosphamide (CCP), methotrexate (MTX), and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)) chemotherapy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A murine BC model treated with CMF was used. Metabolomic profiling identified altered pathways. Metastasis was assessed via tumor growth, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Phospholipid metabolism was inhibited with idelalisib combined with CMF. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) components were screened. Epicatechin (EC) was identified as a modulator of phospholipid metabolism and tested in CMF.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Metabolomic analysis revealed a marked upregulation of phospholipid metabolism in CMF-treated BC mice, which was linked to enhanced metastasis. Intervening with idelalisib in combination with CMF abolished these protumorigenic effects. Among the screened TCM components, EC was identified as a modulator of phospholipid metabolism. Similarly, the combination of EC and CMF maintained chemotherapy's antitumor efficacy while substantially reducing metastatic spread.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Our findings reveal that CMF chemotherapy induces phospholipid metabolic reprogramming, which drives BC metastasis. Targeting this pathway-either through pharmacological inhibitors (idelalisib) or natural compounds (EC)-can mitigate chemotherapy-induced metastasis without compromising tumor suppression. This suggests that metabolic modulation could be a viable strategy to enhance chemotherapy efficacy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Upregulated phospholipid metabolism is a critical mechanism behind chemotherapy-induced BC metastasis. Combining CMF with phospholipid-targeting agents (idelalisib or EC) offers a promising therapeutic approach to optimize chemotherapy outcomes. These results provide a theoretical foundation for developing novel combination therapies in BC treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":7934,"journal":{"name":"Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147462605","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative Prognosis of HER2-Low versus HER2-Negative Breast Cancer: A Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Yuanyuan Li, Tao Chen, Chuangang Tang, Huaixin Cui, Changwen Li","doi":"10.2174/0118715206404939251124112505","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118715206404939251124112505","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>With the emergence of new antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), low human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2) expression may become a novel treatment target. However, despite the clinical trials of new ADCs, strong evidence to prove the practical significance of HER2-low breast cancer (BC) prognosis remains unavailable. </p> Methods: This systematic meta-analysis was undertaken to compare the prognostic value of the survival outcomes of patients with HER2-negative and HER2-low BC. For this, the Cochrane Library and PubMed were searched, and 23 eligible retrospective or prospective studies reporting information related to disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and pathological complete response (PCR) rates of patients with HER2- negative and HER2-low BC were included. For both subgroups, the data were pooled using a random-effects model, with hazard ratios (HRs) for OS and DFS and odds ratios (ORs) for PCR, along with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). OS was the primary endpoint, whereas DFS and PCR rates were the secondary endpoints. </p> Results: We analyzed the 23 studies, which enrolled 781,941 patients with HER2-low BC. OS (HR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.73-0.92, P = 0.001) significantly improved in patients with HER2-low BC compared with those with HER2-negative BC. However, DFS (HR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.67-1.12, P = 0.28) did not significantly improve. Furthermore, the PCR rate was lower in patients with HER2-low BC than in patients with HER2-negative BC (OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.83-0.93, P < 0.001). </p> Conclusion: Compared with the HER2-negative status, OS is significantly increased, and PCR is significantly decreased in the HER2-low status. However, DFS is not significantly increased.</p>","PeriodicalId":7934,"journal":{"name":"Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147462598","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Taraxasterol Suppresses Renal Cell Carcinoma Progression by Modulating Cell Cycle Progression and Apoptosis.","authors":"Jiao-Gui Xie, Xing-Chen Liu, Xin-Wei Han, Yi-Chao Wang","doi":"10.2174/0118715206425126251120233614","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118715206425126251120233614","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a common and aggressive urological malignancy with limited response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The search for effective, low-toxicity natural compounds is therefore of increasing interest. Taraxasterol (TAX), a pentacyclic triterpene from dandelion, has shown antitumor activity in several cancers, but its effects on RCC remain unexplored. To investigate the antitumor effects and underlying mechanisms of TAX on RCC in vitro and in vivo. </P> Methods: The human embryonic kidney cell HEK-293T and human RCC cells (786-O) were cultured and treated with different concentrations of TAX (0, 5, 10, and 15 µM), respectively. Next, the MTT assay was employed for detecting cell viability, the scratch assay for cell migration, the Transwell for cell invasion, flow cytometry for changes in mitochondrial membrane potential, apoptosis levels, and cell cycle, and the western blot for protein expression levels related to cell cycle and apoptosis. Additionally, a 786-O xenograft model was established in BALB/c nude mice to evaluate the in vivo antitumor effect of TAX. Tumor volume and weight were measured, and Ki-67 and cleaved Caspase-3 expression in tumor tissues were assessed via immunohistochemistry. </P> Results: TAX did not affect the viability, apoptosis, or cell cycle of HEK-293T cells, but significantly inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion of 786-O cells, while inducing apoptosis and G2/M arrest in a concentration-dependent manner. TAX reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, increased cleaved-Caspase-3 and cleaved-PARP, decreased Bcl-2, and downregulated Cyclin B1 and CDK1, while upregulating p21 and p27. In vivo, TAX suppressed tumor growth and reduced Ki-67, while increasing cleaved Caspase-3 expression in xenograft tumors. </P> Discussion: These findings support TAX as a promising natural compound for RCC therapy. Further work is needed to validate its effects across additional RCC models and to explore other potential molecular pathways. </P> Conclusion: TAX exerts antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, and anti-invasive effects on RCC, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic candidate.</p>","PeriodicalId":7934,"journal":{"name":"Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147462590","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Theranostic Potential of [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-Tocilizumab in Multiple Myeloma: A Preclinical Evaluation.","authors":"Ximena Camacho, Mirel Cabrera, Carolina Perroni, Marcos Tassano, Marcelo Fernández, Natalia Oddone, Eloisa Riva, Juan Pablo Gambini, Pablo Cabral","doi":"10.2174/0118715206406408251125050709","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118715206406408251125050709","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a haematological malignancy in which Interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays a crucial role in its growth and spread. The monoclonal antibody Tocilizumab binds strongly to IL-6 receptors, inhibiting their function. Our aim is to evaluate the potential of [177Lu]Lu-labeled Toclilzumab as a theranostic agent for MM. </P> Methods: Tocilizumab was derivatised with DOTA-NHS ester and radiolabeled with [177Lu]Lu. The stability of the radiochemical compound was evaluated, and in vitro binding and immunoreactive fraction assays were performed. Biodistribution was assessed at 24 and 48 h post-injection (n = 5) in normal and MM-bearing BALB/c nude mice. </P> Results: [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-Tocilizumab remained stable in all tested solutions. Epitope recognition was confirmed by cell-binding studies, and an immunoreactive fraction of 83.7% was observed. In vivo biodistribution studies revealed high tumor uptake over time, with tumor-to-muscle ratios of 11.66 ± 3.81 and 9.54 ± 1.75 at 24 and 48 h, respectively. </P> Discussion: This study focused on the synthesis and characterisation of a new radiolabeled theranostic agent against IL6R, [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-Tocilizumab. This agent demonstrated high radiochemical stability and strong binding to IL-6R in the MM cell line. Biodistribution studies indicated selective retention of the agent in tumor tissue, highlighting its potential for targeted imaging and therapy in IL-6R-positive cancers and paving the way for future research into its application in related diseases. </P> Conclusions: [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-Tocilizumab represents a potential theranostic agent for MM. Therefore, we expect this agent to open the way to new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for this devastating disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":7934,"journal":{"name":"Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147462678","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Role of Artemisinin and its Derivatives in Cancer Therapy via Ferroptosis: A Systematic Review of In Vitro, In Vivo, and In Silico Studies.","authors":"Suheda Rumeysa Osmanlioglu Dag, Iffet Irem Tatli Cankaya, Ayse Mine Gencler Ozkan","doi":"10.2174/0118715206444970251227043020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118715206444970251227043020","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Artemisinin (ART), a sesquiterpene lactone derived from Artemisia annua L., and its semisynthetic derivatives such as dihydroartemisinin (DHA) and artesunate (ARTE) have gained significant attention for their anticancer potential beyond their established antimalarial effects. The antitumor activity is mediated by various mechanisms, with ferroptosis-an iron-dependent, non-apoptotic form of cell death characterized by lipid peroxidation-standing out as a key pathway. Recent in vitro, in vivo, and in silico studies suggest that artemisinin compounds can trigger ferroptosis in various cancers, including breast, liver, pancreatic, and glioma, by disrupting iron homeostasis, inhibiting glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. </P> Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted up to 2025 using relevant keywords related to artemisinin, cancer, and ferroptosis in databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. </P> Results: Experimental studies demonstrate that dihydroartemisinin and artesunate elevate intracellular Fe²⁺ levels and promote ROS-mediated lipid peroxidation. Animal models further validate these effects, showing tumor growth suppression with minimal systemic toxicity. In silico analyses support these findings, revealing interactions between artemisinin derivatives and ferroptosis-related proteins like GPX4 and transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1). </P> Discussion: The findings collectively indicate that artemisinin and its derivatives induce ferroptosis through irondependent ROS accumulation and GPX4 inhibition, positioning ferroptosis as a central mechanism underlying their anticancer activity. </P> Conclusion: This review analyzed 66 original research articles and identified ferroptosis as the primary mechanism by which artemisinin and its derivatives exert anticancer effects, often in combination with apoptosis, autophagy, or cell cycle arrest. In silico studies confirm strong interactions with ferroptosis-related targets. Lung and liver cancers emerged as the most frequently studied and responsive, highlighting them as key targets for future translational efforts. Standardized methodologies are needed to improve reproducibility and clinical relevance.</p>","PeriodicalId":7934,"journal":{"name":"Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147462579","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Thiourea Derivatives for the Potential Treatment of Lung Cancer via the Inhibition of EGFR and Efflux Pumps: Synthesis, In Silico, and In Vitro Studies.","authors":"Rania Abu-Zaid, Osama H Abusara, Buthaina Hussein, Fadi G Saqallah, Nader R Albujuq","doi":"10.2174/0118715206435905260109202535","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118715206435905260109202535","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The overexpression and/or mutations of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) are associated with the progression of several cancers. Thiourea derivatives have emerged as promising compounds to target EGFR for cancer treatment.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Ten thiourea derivatives (1-10) underwent virtual screening, were synthesized, and evaluated on EGFR-expressing cells and normal fibroblasts.</p><p><strong>Results and discussion: </strong>Compound 3 had the highest binding affinity towards HER1 and HER2 (EGFR family) with the Lowest Binding Energy (LBE) values of -9.6 and -10.9 kcal/mol, respectively. Against lung cancer cells, H69 and H2073 cells, compound 3 had IC50 values of 3.68 and 2.48 μM, respectively, with a selectivity index greater than 25 on both cancer cells. A combination index value of 1.0 (additive effect) was achieved on both cell lines when compound 3 was combined with Doxorubicin (DOX). The cytotoxic effect of compound 3 may also be driven via a non-mitochondrial pathway, as elucidated by the JC-1 mitochondrial assay. The enhancement of DOX toxicity against H69 cells (initial IC50 value was 0.6 μM) by the addition of 0.1 and 1 μM of compound 3 to reach an IC50 values of 0.27 and 0.04 μM, respectively, may be driven via the inhibitory effect of compound 3 on efflux pumps, such as ABCC1 and RALBP1 (LBE values of -9.2 and -8.41 kcal/mol, respectively), known as reasons for DOX resistance and their expression in H69 cells.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Compound 3 has shown to have cytotoxic effects against EGFR-expressing lung cancer cells, causes an additive effect with conventional chemotherapy, and may be used to treat multi-drug-resistant cancers.</p>","PeriodicalId":7934,"journal":{"name":"Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147462659","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Apoptotic and Anti-Proliferative Potential of Spirulina platensis Methanolic Extract Against the Human Breast Cancer Cell Line MDA-MB-231: A Step Towards Functional Cancer Therapy.","authors":"Aditi Srivastava, Zeba Siddiqi, Sahabjada Siddiqui, Rumana Ahmad","doi":"10.2174/0118715206383642251105064036","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118715206383642251105064036","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Algae have garnered increasing interest in the fields of medicine and nutrition as a source of nutritious and non-toxic healthcare supplements. Spirulina platensis (SP), a microalga and a welldocumented nutritional supplement, is recognized for its high medicinal value and potential anticancer properties. The present study evaluated the apoptosis-inducing effect of methanolic extract of Spirulina platensis (SPM) on human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The extract was prepared using standard methanol extraction techniques. Cytotoxicity was assessed using the MTT assay over varying concentrations and time intervals. Morphological changes were observed under a phase-contrast microscope. Apoptosis was further confirmed through acridine orange/ ethidium bromide (AO/EB) dual staining and DNA fragmentation analysis. The effect of SPM on normal HEK-293 cells was also evaluated to determine its selectivity and safety profile.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>HPLC analysis identified C-phycocyanin (C-PC) as the major bioactive phytoconstituent in the SPM extract. The extract showed antioxidant activity and dose- and time-dependent growth inhibition of MDA-MB-231 cells (IC50: 3433 μg/mL). Treated cells displayed apoptotic morphology under a phasecontrast microscope and late apoptosis at higher doses, confirmed by AO/EB staining. DNA fragmentation was observed in MDA-MB-231 cells but not in HEK-293 cells, which showed minimal cytotoxicity (IC₂⁽: 7250 μg/mL).</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The presence of C-PC most likely contributes to the extract's antioxidant and anticancer effects. SPM selectively induced apoptosis and inhibited proliferation in MDA-MB-231 cells, with a negligible impact on normal cells, highlighting its potential as a safe and natural anticancer candidate.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>As evident from the results, SPM extract has demonstrated potential for its clinical applications in cancer therapy as an adjunct to the main line of treatment, provided that further studies are carried out on other cancer cell lines and animal models in future.</p>","PeriodicalId":7934,"journal":{"name":"Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147462573","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Aptamers in Osteosarcoma: New Paths for Diagnosis and Treatment.","authors":"Guy Awad, Marc Boutros, Antoine Chartouni, Juan Pretell-Mazzini","doi":"10.2174/0118715206398665251010093110","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118715206398665251010093110","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Osteosarcoma remains the most common primary malignant bone tumor, with poor outcomes in metastatic or recurrent cases. Current treatments often fail to prevent relapse, highlighting the need for innovative therapeutic strategies. Aptamers, short and single-stranded oligonucleotides capable of folding into three-dimensional shapes, have emerged as promising tools for targeted cancer diagnostics and therapy due to their high affinity, specificity, and modifiability.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A structured search was conducted through PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar up to March 2025, focusing on peer-reviewed articles exploring the use of aptamers in osteosarcoma. A total of 158 studies were included, highlighting aptamer applications in tumor diagnosis, pathway targeting, and precision drug delivery.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Aptamers demonstrated significant potential in osteosarcoma research, notably in identifying tumorigenesis pathways, enhancing diagnostic accuracy through ELISA and biosensors, and improving targeted drug delivery. SELEX-derived aptamers effectively targeted molecules such as CD133, EGFR, VEGFA, and FGFR1, leading to enhanced cytotoxicity, reduced off-target effects, and greater specificity for osteosarcoma cells and cancer stem cells. The integration of aptamers with nanoparticles further optimized therapeutic delivery, highlighting their capability to enhance precision medicine in osteosarcoma.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Aptamers offer clear benefits over traditional osteosarcoma treatments. Their strong binding affinity to cancer cells, low risk of immune reactions, and flexible chemical modifications make them powerful tools for diagnosis and therapy, especially when combined with nanoparticle delivery systems.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Aptamers represent a promising class of targeted agents for osteosarcoma. Future research should prioritize optimizing delivery strategies and validating clinical efficacy to accelerate their integration into clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":7934,"journal":{"name":"Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147442184","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cancer Stem Cells and Medicinal Plants, A Comprehensive Review of their Potential in Tumor Suppression and Recurrence Prevention.","authors":"Roghaye Farajpoor Javazmi, Seyed Ahmad Hosseini, Seyyed Majid Bagheri","doi":"10.2174/0118715206430462251126042948","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118715206430462251126042948","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) drive tumor initiation, progression, and recurrence due to their self-renewal and differentiation capacities. Herbal medicines offer potential for targeting CSCs by disrupting key pathways, inducing apoptosis, and enhancing the efficacy of conventional therapy. This review evaluates the effectiveness of plant-based compounds in suppressing CSCs across various cancers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic search was conducted across databases (ISI Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Biological Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts) up to March 2025, using keywords such as \"cancer stem cells and plant extracts.\" Inclusion criteria were English-language original articles or reviews on plant-based compounds targeting CSCs (in vitro, in vivo, or clinical studies) with full-text availability. Duplicates, non-relevant, non-English, or abstract-only studies were excluded, yielding 43 studies.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Herbal medicines derived from plants such as Pao Pereira, Rauwolfia vomitoria, and Celastrus orbiculatus inhibit CSC proliferation, self-renewal, and chemoresistance across breast, colon, pancreatic, gastric, ovarian, prostate, glioblastoma, hepatic, and lung cancers. Mechanisms include disruption of the TGF-β/Smad pathway, induction of apoptosis via caspase activation, and ROS-mediated oxidative stress, with compounds such as curcumin and resveratrol targeting Wnt, Notch, and Hedgehog pathways.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Plant-derived compounds show promise in targeting CSCs, enhancing chemotherapy sensitivity, and reducing tumor recurrence. However, inconsistent potency, limited clinical data, and bioavailability challenges limit translation. Standardized extracts and rigorous clinical trials are needed to validate efficacy and safety.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Herbal medicines offer a promising complementary approach to CSC-targeted cancer therapy, but further research is essential to overcome current limitations and enable clinical integration.</p>","PeriodicalId":7934,"journal":{"name":"Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147363504","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fish-Derived Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) as Anticancer Agents: A Mini-Review of In Vitro Evidence.","authors":"Muhammad Akram Mohd Noordin, Ahmed Abdulkareem Najm, Herryawan Ryadi Eziwar Dyari, Douglas Law, Shazrul Fazry","doi":"10.2174/0118715206411478251125091213","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/0118715206411478251125091213","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Marine fish provide a significant reservoir of Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) with potential anticancer properties, an area of growing scientific focus.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>This review gathers findings from studies published between 2020 and 2024, sourced from databases such as Google Scholar, Scopus, BioMed Central, and ScienceDirect, identifying 15 relevant research papers highlighting the potential of fish-derived antimicrobial peptides in anticancer research.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>AMPs exhibit broad-spectrum anticancer activity against diverse cancer cell lines, primarily by inducing apoptosis or necrosis through mechanisms that involve ROS generation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and DNA damage.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The therapeutic promise of fish AMPs is rooted in their diverse mechanisms, including highly selective cytotoxicity and the ability to exploit oxidative stress and trigger irreversible cell death, along with antiangiogenic properties. Future clinical development requires synthetic optimization and advanced drug delivery systems to enhance stability, bioavailability, and targeted delivery.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study highlights the promise of fish antimicrobial peptides as an additional class of anticancer therapies and explores future prospects, including improvements in drug administration and peptide modification, that might enhance their clinical application.</p>","PeriodicalId":7934,"journal":{"name":"Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147363621","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}