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Polyamines and cancer: old molecules, new understanding

2004; Nature Portfolio; Volume: 4; Issue: 10 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1038/nrc1454

1474-1768

Eugene W. Gerner, Frank L. Meyskens,

Cancer Research and Treatments

The amino-acid-derived polyamines have long been associated with cell growth and cancer, and specific oncogenes and tumour-suppressor genes regulate polyamine metabolism. Inhibition of polyamine synthesis has proven to be generally ineffective as an anticancer strategy in clinical trials, but it is a potent cancer chemoprevention strategy in preclinical studies. Clinical trials, with well-defined goals, are now underway to evaluate the chemopreventive efficacy of inhibitors of polyamine synthesis in a range of tissues.