title: ENOX2 (or tNOX): a new and old molecule with cancer activity involved in tumor prevention and therapy.
abstract: Cancer includes a number of related diseases due to abnormal cell proliferation that spreads to nearby tissues. Many compounds (physical, chemical and biological) have been used to try to halt this abnormal proliferation, but the therapeutic results are poor, due also to the side effects. It has been reported that ecto-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidase di-sulfide-thiol exchanger 2 (ENOX2), also known as tumor-associated nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidase (tNOX), was found to be located on the cancer cell surface, essential for cancer cell growth. Capsaicin and other anti-oxidants are capable of inhibiting tNOX, causing apoptosis of cells, exerting anti-tumor activity. It is interesting that some authors reported that ENOX2 is present in the serum of cancer patients several years before the clinical symptoms of the tumor. However, this result has to be confirmed. In this article we discuss ENOX2 and its inhibition as a hope of improving cancer therapy.
authors.affiliation: UOS Clinica dei Pazienti del Territorio, Policlinico Gemelli, Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ronconi
authors.affiliation: Center of Intensive Rehabilitation, S. Agnese, Pineto (TE), Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lessiani
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Cagliari, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Spinas
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kritas
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Al
authors.initials: Al
authors.lastname: Caraffa
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saggini
authors.affiliation: Orthopedics Department, University Hospital, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Antinolfi
authors.affiliation: University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pizzicannella
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical, Oral and Biological Sciences, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Toniato
authors.affiliation: Immunology Division, Postgraduate Medical School, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Conti
mesh_terms: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer; D004790:Enzyme Induction / Q000187:drug effects; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009243:NAD / Q000502:physiology; D009247:NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D000975:Antioxidants; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D007529:Isoflavones; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009243:NAD; D002392:Catechin; C471183:phenoxodiol; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate; D009247:NADH, NADPH Oxidoreductases; C431909:tumor-associated NADH oxidase; D002211:Capsaicin