Targeting Mitochondria through the Use of Mitocans as Emerging Anticancer Agents

Abstract

Mitochondria are key players with a multi-functional role in many vital cellular processes, such as energy metabolism, redox regulation, calcium homeostasis, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) as well as in cell signaling, survival and apoptosis. These functions are mainly regulated through important enzyme signaling cascades, which if altered may influence the outcome of cell viability and apoptosis. Therefore some of the key enzymes that are vital for these signaling pathways are emerging as important targets for new anticancer agent development. Mitocans are compounds aimed at targeting mitochondria in cancer cells by altering mitochondrial functions thus causing cell growth inhibition or apoptosis. This review summarizes the till present known classes of mitocans, their mechanism of action and potential therapeutic use in different forms of cancer.

Keywords: Bcl-2; Mithocondria; cancer; electron transport chain; hexokinase; lactate dehydrogenase; mitocans; pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase.