Teratogens as anti-cancer drugs.

Abstract

Most anticancer drugs are teratogens, merely because they target vital cellular functions. Conversely, some plants produce agents that intentionally target embryonic signaling pathways, precisely to cause birth defects if pregnant animals eat such plants. Cyclopamine, a teratogen produced by a flowering plant, inhibits the Hh/Gli pathway, causing developmental defects such as cyclopia (one eye in the middle of the face). In theory, selective teratogens may suppress cancer cells that reactivate embryonic pathways, while sparing most normal cells. I discuss the potential (and limits) of teratogens in cancer therapy, linking diverse topics from morning sickness of pregnancy, embryonic pathways and poisonous plants to the mechanism of action of anticancer teratogens and their combinations with less selective cytotoxic agents.

• Authors: Mikhail V Blagosklonny
• Journal: Cell cycle (Georgetown, Tex.) (Cell Cycle) Vol. 4 Issue 11 Pg. 1518-21 (Nov 2005) ISSN: 1551-4005 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 16258270 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Cytotoxins
• Teratogens

Topics

• Animals
• Antineoplastic Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Cytotoxins (therapeutic use)
• Embryo, Mammalian (drug effects, pathology, physiology)
• Female
• Humans
• Maternal-Fetal Exchange (drug effects, physiology)
• Morning Sickness (drug therapy)
• Plants, Toxic (physiology)
• Pregnancy
• Signal Transduction (drug effects, physiology)
• Teratogens (pharmacology)