title: Thiosemicarbazones: the new wave in cancer treatment.
abstract: The anticancer effects of thiosemicarbazones were once solely attributed to the inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase, an enzyme involved in the rate-limiting step of DNA synthesis. However, the mechanism behind this inhibition was initially not described. The ability of thiosemicarbazones to chelate metal ions has now been recognized as a major factor in their antiproliferative effects. This mini-review discusses current advances of an emerging 'new wave' of thiosemicarbazones as potent anticancer agents, describing recent insights into their mechanism of action. The redox activity of Fe-thiosemicarbazone complexes is critical in their anticancer activity, resulting in oxidative damage and the inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase. In vivo analysis indicates that some thiosemicarbazones show potential as chemotherapeutic agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Bosch Institute, Blackburn Building (D06), University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.
authors.forename: Danuta S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Kalinowski
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Quach
authors.forename: Des R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Richardson
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008670:Metals / Q000737:chemistry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013882:Thiosemicarbazones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002614:Chelating Agents; D008670:Metals; D013882:Thiosemicarbazones