title: Possibilities to increase the effectiveness of doxorubicin in cancer cells killing.
abstract: Anthracycline antibiotic doxorubicin (DOX) belongs among the most important antineoplastics used in cancer therapy. Unfortunately, its cytostatic effect in therapeutic doses is frequently insufficient; but the use of higher DOX doses is limited by the development of systemic toxicity, especially cardiotoxicity. Therefore, a searching for some possibilities of how to increase DOX efficacy in cancer cells, and minimizing associated toxicities to noncancerous tissues, is in the forefront of scientific research. Many approaches are based on altered DOX metabolism. The classical strategies include an enhancing of DOX uptake by cancer cells and/or an activation of DOX prodrug within cancer cells via liposomal encapsulation or conjugation with antibodies, peptides, or synthetic polymers. The diminishing of DOX deactivation, restriction of DOX efflux from cancer cells, decreased antioxidant defense of cancer cells, changes in cell cycle, or modulation of signaling pathways represent newer approaches in increasing DOX toxicity in tumors. Each way has certain advantages and limitations. The aim of this review was not to collect all reported results, but to bring an overview of various approaches and a summary of their principles. Possible advantages, disadvantages, and further perspectives are discussed and evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemical Sciences, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic, European Union.
authors.forename: Veronika
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hanušová
authors.forename: Iva
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Boušová
authors.forename: Lenka
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Skálová
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D001692:Biological Transport; D001711:Biotransformation; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004339:Drug Compounding; D006801:Humans; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D004337:Drug Carriers; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D004317:Doxorubicin