Abstract
The role of nitric oxide (NO•) as a mediator of cancer phenotype has led researchers to investigate strategies for manipulating in vivo production and exogenous delivery of this molecule for therapeutic gain. Unfortunately, NO• serves multiple functions in cancer physiology. In some instances, NO• or nitric oxide synthase (NOS) levels correlate with tumor suppression and in other cases they are related to tumor progression and metastasis. Understanding this dichotomy has been a great challenge for researchers working in the field of NO• and cancer therapy. Due to the unique chemical and biochemical properties of NO•, its interactions with cellular targets and the subsequent downstream signaling events can be vastly different based upon tumor heterogeneity and microenvironment. Simple explanations for the vast range of NO-correlated behaviors will continue to produce conflicting information about the relevance of NO• and cancer. Paying considerable attention to the chemical properties of NO• and the methodologies being used will remove many of the discrepancies in the field and allow for in depth understanding of when NO-based chemotherapeutics will have beneficial outcomes.
Keywords: Nitric oxide, cancer, metastasis, nitric oxide synthase, chemotherapy
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Nitric Oxide and Cancer Therapy: The Emperor has NO Clothes
Volume: 16 Issue: 4
Author(s): Jason R. Hickok and Douglas D. Thomas
Affiliation:
Keywords: Nitric oxide, cancer, metastasis, nitric oxide synthase, chemotherapy
Abstract: The role of nitric oxide (NO•) as a mediator of cancer phenotype has led researchers to investigate strategies for manipulating in vivo production and exogenous delivery of this molecule for therapeutic gain. Unfortunately, NO• serves multiple functions in cancer physiology. In some instances, NO• or nitric oxide synthase (NOS) levels correlate with tumor suppression and in other cases they are related to tumor progression and metastasis. Understanding this dichotomy has been a great challenge for researchers working in the field of NO• and cancer therapy. Due to the unique chemical and biochemical properties of NO•, its interactions with cellular targets and the subsequent downstream signaling events can be vastly different based upon tumor heterogeneity and microenvironment. Simple explanations for the vast range of NO-correlated behaviors will continue to produce conflicting information about the relevance of NO• and cancer. Paying considerable attention to the chemical properties of NO• and the methodologies being used will remove many of the discrepancies in the field and allow for in depth understanding of when NO-based chemotherapeutics will have beneficial outcomes.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Hickok R. Jason and Thomas D. Douglas, Nitric Oxide and Cancer Therapy: The Emperor has NO Clothes, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2010; 16 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161210790232149
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161210790232149 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
?Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment: Nano-Therapeutics Targeting Tumor Microenvironment?
This thematic issue explores the forefront of cancer treatment, centering on the groundbreaking potential of nano-therapeutics meticulously designed to target the tumor microenvironment. At its core, the issue aims to unravel the latest advancements in nanotechnology, showcasing innovative materials, formulations, and delivery systems that hold promise for redefining cancer therapeutics. ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Cancer Stem Cells and the Biology of Brain Tumors
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Actively Targeted Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery to Tumor
Current Drug Metabolism Rational Drug Design for Identifying Novel Multi-target Inhibitors for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Pharmacokinetics-Pharmacology Disconnection of Herbal Medicines and its Potential Solutions with Cellular Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Strategy
Current Drug Metabolism Radiopharmaceuticals for Oncology Drug Development: A Pharmaceutical Industry Perspective
Current Pharmaceutical Design Endogenous Regulators of Adult CNS Neurogenesis
Current Pharmaceutical Design Factors that Control the Circulation Time of Nanoparticles in Blood: Challenges, Solutions and Future Prospects
Current Pharmaceutical Design Recent Advances and Strategies in Tumor Vasculature Targeted Nano-Drug Delivery Systems
Current Pharmaceutical Design Injectable Thermosensitive Chitosan/Glycerophosphate-Based Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering and Drug Delivery Applications: A Review
Recent Patents on Drug Delivery & Formulation Role of Active Drug Transporters in Refractory Multiple Myeloma
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Dietary Polyphenols for Prostate Cancer Therapy
Current Bioactive Compounds State-of-the-Art Methodologies for the Discovery and Characterization of DNA G-Quadruplex Binders
Current Pharmaceutical Design Quantum Dot-Based Nanoprobes for In Vivo Targeted Imaging
Current Molecular Medicine Technologies for Translational Imaging Using Generators in Oncology
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Brain Segmentation Using Deep Neural Networks
International Journal of Sensors, Wireless Communications and Control Active Targeting Strategies for Anticancer Drug Nanocarriers
Current Drug Delivery Cancer Therapy: Targeting Cell Cycle Regulators
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Insight γ-Secretase: Structure, Function, and Role in Alzheimer’s Disease
Current Drug Targets Drugs for AIDS
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Subject Index To Volume-3
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery