Preprint / Version 1

Ailanthone: A novel potential drug for treating human cancer

Authors

  • Haixiang Ding Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, P.R. China
  • Xiuchong Yu Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of The Medical School of Ningbo University and Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, P.R. China
  • Chen Hang Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, P.R. China
  • Kaijun Gao Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, P.R. China
  • Xifeng Lao Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, P.R. China
  • Yangtao Jia Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211, P.R. China
  • Zhilong Yan Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of The Medical School of Ningbo University and Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, P.R. China

Keywords:

ailanthone, cancer, antitumor, apoptosis, autophagy, mechanism

Abstract

Cancer is the second leading cause of death after cardiovascular disease. In 2015, >8.7 million people died worldwide due to cancer, and by 2030 this figure is expected to increase to ~13.1 million. Tumor chemotherapy drugs have specific toxicity and side effects, and patients can also develop secondary drug resistance. To prevent and treat cancer, scientists have developed novel drugs with improved antitumor effects and decreased toxicity. Ailanthone (AIL) is a quassinoid extract from the traditional Chinese medicine plant Ailanthus altissima, which is known to have anti-inflammatory and antimalarial effects. An increasing number of studies have focused on AIL due to its antitumor activity. AIL can inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis by up- or downregulating cancer-associated molecules, which ultimately leads to cancer cell death. Antitumor effects of AIL have been observed in melanoma, acute myeloid leukemia, bladder, lung, breast, gastric and prostate cancer and vestibular neurilemmoma. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first review to describe the antitumor mechanisms of AIL. Keywords: ailanthone, cancer, antitumor, apoptosis, autophagy, mechanism

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