title: Polyamines and cancer: old molecules, new understanding.
abstract: The amino-acid-derived polyamines have long been associated with cell growth and cancer, and specific oncogenes and tumour-suppressor genes regulate polyamine metabolism. Inhibition of polyamine synthesis has proven to be generally ineffective as an anticancer strategy in clinical trials, but it is a potent cancer chemoprevention strategy in preclinical studies. Clinical trials, with well-defined goals, are now underway to evaluate the chemopreventive efficacy of inhibitors of polyamine synthesis in a range of tissues.
authors.affiliation: University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724, USA. egerner@azcc.arizona.edu
authors.forename: Eugene W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Gerner
authors.forename: Frank L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Meyskens
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018890:Chemoprevention; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015195:Drug Design; D000518:Eflornithine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005544:Forecasting; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009857:Oncogenes; D009955:Ornithine Decarboxylase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D065108:Ornithine Decarboxylase Inhibitors; D011073:Polyamines / Q000378:metabolism*; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D065108:Ornithine Decarboxylase Inhibitors; D011073:Polyamines; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D009955:Ornithine Decarboxylase; D000518:Eflornithine