Towards the Microbial Production of Plant-Derived Anticancer Drugs

Trends Cancer. 2020 Jun;6(6):444-448. doi: 10.1016/j.trecan.2020.02.004. Epub 2020 Mar 5.

Abstract

Many of the plant-derived compounds used in chemotherapies are currently produced by semisynthesis, which results in limited supplies at exorbitant market prices. However, the synthetic biology era, which began ca 15 years ago, has progressively yielded encouraging advances by using engineered microbes for the practical production of cheaper plant anticancer drugs.

Keywords: metabolic engineering; microorganisms; plant; specialized metabolites; synthetic biology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / biosynthesis*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / therapeutic use
  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Bacteria / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Industrial Microbiology / methods*
  • Metabolic Engineering / methods*
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways / genetics
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Synthetic Biology / methods*
  • Yeasts / genetics
  • Yeasts / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic