Hypoxia-activated glutamine antagonist prodrug combined with combretastatin A4 nanoparticles for tumor-selective metabolic blockade

A novel life for antitumor combretastatins: Recent developments of hybrids, prodrugs, combination therapies, and antibody-drug conjugates

Since their discovery from natural sources, the potent cytotoxic effects of combretastatins were widely studied for the application in antitumor therapy. However, major pharmacokinetic issues as low water solubility and chemical instability of the double bond configuration prevented their use in therapy. A lot of efforts have been directed towards the search of novel strategies, allowing a safer use of combretastatins as anticancer agents. This review analyses the recent landscape in combretastatin research, characterized by the identification of hybrids, prodrugs, and novel combination treatments. Interestingly, the potent cytotoxic agent combretastatin A4 (CA4) was recently proposed as payload in the construction of novel antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), allowing an efficient targeting of the cytotoxic agent to specific tumors.

Tumor energy metabolism: implications for therapeutic targets

Tumor energy metabolism plays a crucial role in the occurrence, progression, and drug resistance of tumors. The study of tumor energy metabolism has gradually become an emerging field of tumor treatment. Recent studies have shown that epigenetic regulation is closely linked to tumor energy metabolism, influencing the metabolic remodeling and biological traits of tumor cells. This review focuses on the primary pathways of tumor energy metabolism and explores therapeutic strategies to target these pathways. It covers key areas such as glycolysis, the Warburg effect, mitochondrial function, oxidative phosphorylation, and the metabolic adaptability of tumors. Additionally, this article examines the role of the epigenetic regulator SWI/SNF complex in tumor metabolism, specifically its interactions with glucose, lipids, and amino acids. Summarizing therapeutic strategies aimed at these metabolic pathways, including inhibitors of glycolysis, mitochondrial-targeted drugs, exploitation of metabolic vulnerabilities, and recent developments related to SWI/SNF complexes as potential targets. The clinical significance, challenges, and future directions of tumor metabolism research are discussed, including strategies to overcome drug resistance, the potential of combination therapy, and the application of new technologies.

Exploiting the Achilles' heel of cancer: disrupting glutamine metabolism for effective cancer treatment

Cancer cells have adapted to rapid tumor growth and evade immune attack by reprogramming their metabolic pathways. Glutamine is an important nitrogen resource for synthesizing amino acids and nucleotides and an important carbon source in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and lipid biosynthesis pathway. In this review, we summarize the significant role of glutamine metabolism in tumor development and highlight the vulnerabilities of targeting glutamine metabolism for effective therapy. In particular, we review the reported drugs targeting glutaminase and glutamine uptake for efficient cancer treatment. Moreover, we discuss the current clinical test about targeting glutamine metabolism and the prospective direction of drug development.