title: What made sesquiterpene lactones reach cancer clinical trials?
abstract: Sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) are plant-derived compounds often used in traditional medicine against inflammation and cancer. This review focuses on the chemical and biological properties of SLs that lead to enhanced anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects. The chemical properties comprise alkylating center reactivity, lipophilicity, and molecular geometry and electronic features. SLs in clinical trials are artemisinin, thapsigargin and parthenolide and many of their synthetic derivatives. These drugs are selective toward tumor and cancer stem cells by targeting specific signaling pathways, which make them lead compounds in cancer clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Biology Department, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Akram
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghantous
authors.forename: Hala
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gali-Muhtasib
authors.forename: Heikki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vuorela
authors.forename: Najat A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Saliba
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Darwiche
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D007783:Lactones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D007783:Lactones; D012717:Sesquiterpenes