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Abstract(s)
As lectinas são proteínas, de origem não imunológica e sem actividade enzimática, com pelo menos um domínio não-catalítico, que estabelecem ligações específicas reversíveis com hidratos de carbono presentes na superfície celular. Devido a essas características, as lectinas têm sido utilizadas como moléculas de reconhecimento capazes de diferenciar entre tumores benignos e malignos, e diferentes tipo de tumores, possibilitando um diagnóstico e prognóstico da doença.
Estudos recentes observaram que algumas lectinas como as MLs (Mistletoe lectin), ConA (Concanavalina A) e a PCL (Polygonatum cyrtonema lectin), possuem actividade antitumoral, por indução de mecanismos de morte celular programada como a apoptose e a autofagia, proporcionando possíveis novos agentes anti-cancerígenos.
Por outro lado, os avanços da ciência e da nanotecnologia possibilitaram o desenvolvimento de novas terapêuticas antitumorais capazes de ultrapassar os problemas associados à terapêutica convencional. Tendo como base o acesso selectivo ao tumor, esta terapêutica, através de nanopartículas conjugadas com um marcador de reconhecimento molecular, como uma lectina, específica para um alvo das células tumorais, tem incorporada um fármaco antitumoral, transportando-o selectivamente até ao tumor, resultando numa diminuição da toxicidade do agente terapêutico, e consequentemente uma diminuição dos efeitos secundários, aumentando eficácia do tratamento.
Lectins are proteins, of nonimmune origin and without enzymatic activity, with at least one non-catalytic domain, which establish connections with reversible specific carbohydrates present on the cell surface. Due to these characteristics, lectins have been used as recognition molecules capable of differentiating between benign and malignant tumors, enabling diagnosis and prognosis of disease. Recent studies have found that some lectins, like MLs (Mistletoe lectin), ConA (concanavalin A) and PCL (Polygonatum cyrtonema lectin), have antitumor activity, by inducing programmed cell death mechanisms, such as apoptosis and autophagy, providing potential new anticancer agents. Moreover, advances in nanotechnology have enabled the development of new therapeutic antitumor drug, able to overcome the problems associated with conventional treatment, based on the selective access to the tumor, using nanoparticles conjugated with a molecular recognition moiety, such as a lectin, specific to a target tumor cell and incorporated with an antitumour drug, carrying it selectively to the tumor, resulting in a decreased toxicity of the therapeutic agent, thereby reducing side effects and enhancing efficacy of treatment.
Lectins are proteins, of nonimmune origin and without enzymatic activity, with at least one non-catalytic domain, which establish connections with reversible specific carbohydrates present on the cell surface. Due to these characteristics, lectins have been used as recognition molecules capable of differentiating between benign and malignant tumors, enabling diagnosis and prognosis of disease. Recent studies have found that some lectins, like MLs (Mistletoe lectin), ConA (concanavalin A) and PCL (Polygonatum cyrtonema lectin), have antitumor activity, by inducing programmed cell death mechanisms, such as apoptosis and autophagy, providing potential new anticancer agents. Moreover, advances in nanotechnology have enabled the development of new therapeutic antitumor drug, able to overcome the problems associated with conventional treatment, based on the selective access to the tumor, using nanoparticles conjugated with a molecular recognition moiety, such as a lectin, specific to a target tumor cell and incorporated with an antitumour drug, carrying it selectively to the tumor, resulting in a decreased toxicity of the therapeutic agent, thereby reducing side effects and enhancing efficacy of treatment.
Description
Trabalho Final de Mestrado Integrado, Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Farmácia, 2013
Keywords
Lectinas Cancro Hidratos de carbono Morte celular Nanopartículas Mestrado Integrado - 2013