Polyamines and cancer: old molecules, new understanding.

Author(s): Gerner EW, Meyskens FL Jr

Affiliation(s): University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85724, USA. egerner@azcc.arizona.edu

Publication date & source: 2004-10, Nat Rev Cancer., 4(10):781-92.

Publication type: Review

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.