title: Mitochondria as targets for established and novel anti-cancer agents.
abstract: Chemoresistant cells have acquired the ability to evade the action of multiple classes of anti-neoplastic compounds. One mechanism by which tumor cells survive in the presence of chemotherapy is by increasing their apoptotic threshold. Since mitochondria are central players in drug-induced apoptosis, recent efforts to eradicate chemorefractory cells have focused on the identification of compounds that directly affect mitochondrial function. A number of reports indicate that mitochondria are direct targets for multiple classes of experimental compounds. A few clinically available anticancer agents like DNA damaging compounds and anti-microtubule agents are also reported to act directly on mitochondria. The purpose of this mini-review is to discuss recent advances in the interactions between anti-cancer agents and mitochondria, and highlight potential mitochondrial targets for novel chemotherapeutic interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Sylvester Cancer Center, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Grad
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cepero
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Boise
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents