Open Access

Redox-directed cancer therapeutics: Taurolidine and Piperlongumine as broadly effective antineoplastic agents (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Hanns Möhler
    • Rolf W. Pfirrmann
    • Karl Frei
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: July 28, 2014     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2014.2566
  • Pages: 1329-1336
  • Copyright: © Möhler et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License [CC BY_NC 3.0].

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Abstract

Targeting the oxygen stress response pathway is considered a promising strategy to exert antineoplastic activity in a broad spectrum of tumor types. Supporting this view, we summarize the mechanism of action of Taurolidine and Piperlongumine, two antineoplastic agents with strikingly broad tumor selectivity. Taurolidine enhances the oxidative stress (ROS) selectively in tumor cells. Its cytotoxicity for various tumor cells in vitro and in vivo, which includes tumor stem cells, is based on the induction of programmed cell death, largely via apoptosis but also necroptosis and autophagy. The redox-directed mechanism of action of Taurolidine is apparent from the finding that reducing agents e.g., N-acetylcysteine or glutathione impair its cytotoxicity, while its effectiveness is enhanced by agents which inhibit the cellular anti‑oxidant capacity. A similar redox-directed antineoplastic action is shown by Piperlongumine, a recently described experimental drug of plant origin. Taurolidine is particularly advantageous in surgical oncology as this taurine-derivative can be applied perioperatively or systemically with good tolerability as shown in initial clinical applications.
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October 2014
Volume 45 Issue 4

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

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Spandidos Publications style
Möhler H, Pfirrmann RW and Frei K: Redox-directed cancer therapeutics: Taurolidine and Piperlongumine as broadly effective antineoplastic agents (Review). Int J Oncol 45: 1329-1336, 2014
APA
Möhler, H., Pfirrmann, R.W., & Frei, K. (2014). Redox-directed cancer therapeutics: Taurolidine and Piperlongumine as broadly effective antineoplastic agents (Review). International Journal of Oncology, 45, 1329-1336. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2014.2566
MLA
Möhler, H., Pfirrmann, R. W., Frei, K."Redox-directed cancer therapeutics: Taurolidine and Piperlongumine as broadly effective antineoplastic agents (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 45.4 (2014): 1329-1336.
Chicago
Möhler, H., Pfirrmann, R. W., Frei, K."Redox-directed cancer therapeutics: Taurolidine and Piperlongumine as broadly effective antineoplastic agents (Review)". International Journal of Oncology 45, no. 4 (2014): 1329-1336. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.2014.2566