A Critical Review on BH3 Mimetic Drugs and the Treatment of Cancer-Associated Thrombosis (CAT): A Proposed Design for a Drug Delivery System Capable of Simultaneously Targeting Tumor Cells and Activated Platelets

Background

Induction of programmed cell demise against tumors that achieves selective targeting of the cancerous state without side effects on healthy tissues and cells is the most challenging therapeutic goal to eradicate cancer progression. In this regard, several BH3-mimetic drugs have been designed to induce apoptosis in cancer cells with acceptable specificity and fewer adverse events.

Implications

Taking all considerations into account, even the latest versions of -BH3 mimetics or some other systemic anticancer drugs may affect platelets, mainly manifested by thrombocytopenia in cancer patients who are per se at major risk of hemostatic complications. This is mainly due to the fact that platelets, as anucleated cells, are more vulnerable to apoptosis, especially induced by earlier versions of BH3-mimetics. On the other hand, the cancerous state, particularly in its aggressive conditions, is usually associated with the risk of thrombosis and thromboembolism. Therefore, given that some earlier versions of BH3-mimetics have the potential to simultaneously damage platelets and cancer cells, they may be considered as a therapeutic choice for the treatment of cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT). However, this is subject to the design of a specific platform of drug carriers that supports cancer targeting without interfering with other tissues and cells. The critical review presented here first provides an overview of the various BH3-mimetic drugs available, highlighting ongoing development to enhance their safety and efficacy. Then, by introducing studies on the direct delivery of BH3-mimetics, this review finally proposes an innovative approach for the “conserved conveyance” of drugs to effectively cotarget cancer cells and activated platelets at the site of CAT.

Conclusion

Notably, the main advantage of the proposed drug delivery system presented here is its minimal interference with natural hemostasis, where the drug is expected to attack only tumor cells and CAT, without affecting circulating platelets required for physiological thrombus formation and proper hemostasis.