Antitumour Activity of Dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomycin (DHMEQ): a Literature Review

Abstract

Carcinogenesis research uncovers new pathogenesis links as vulnerable targets of effective antitumour therapies. Among the key mediators of immune response, cell proliferation, cell apoptosis and inflammation is transcription factor NF-κB. Misregulation of an NF-κB-dependent pathway is found in solid and haematopoietic tumour cells. One of the best known NF-κB functions is expression regulation of genes involved in the apoptosis inhibition or activation and survival in both intact and malignant cells. The NF-κB-mediated pathways’ involvement in carcinogenesis, angiogenesis and tumour resistance to chemo- and radiotherapies makes this factor a promising target for drug anti-cancer interventions. This review summarises evidence on the antitumour and anti-inflammatory activity of a high-potent and specific low molecular-weight NF-κB inhibitor, dehydroxymethylhepoxyquinomycin (DHMEQ), as a candidate therapeutic agent in treatment for variant malignancies.