Boron clusters as breast cancer therapeutics

Neville Murphy; Elan McCarthy; Róisín Dwyer; Pau Farràs

doi:10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2021.111412

Boron clusters as breast cancer therapeutics

J Inorg Biochem. 2021 May:218:111412. doi: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2021.111412. Epub 2021 Mar 4.

Authors

Neville Murphy¹, Elan McCarthy², Róisín Dwyer³, Pau Farràs⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Chemistry, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway H91CF50, Ireland; CÚRAM, the SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices, National University of Ireland, Galway H91W2TY, Ireland.
² Lambe Institute for Translational Research, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
³ Lambe Institute for Translational Research, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland; CÚRAM, the SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices, National University of Ireland, Galway H91W2TY, Ireland.
⁴ School of Chemistry, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway H91CF50, Ireland; CÚRAM, the SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices, National University of Ireland, Galway H91W2TY, Ireland. Electronic address: pau.farras@nuigalway.ie.

PMID: 33773323
DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2021.111412

Abstract

Since the foundation of small molecule-based therapeutics over 100 years ago, their design has been dominated by organic based components. This has also been apparent in anti-cancer therapeutics in a broad range of strategies; from the older DNA chelating drugs, to the more recent molecular-targeted therapies. The main challenges facing current treatments; multidrug resistance and low therapeutic index, can potentially be alleviated by the incorporation of boron clusters. While retaining the versatility of their organic counterparts, these compounds offer a unique set of molecular interactions, which are a useful tool in targeted therapies and can improve many organic formulations with their incorporation. This review will discuss the potential of boron clusters in medicine while focusing on their activity in the breast cancer setting.

Keywords: Anticancer; Breast cancer; Carboranes; Metallacarboranes; New drugs; Therapeutic resistance.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Boron Compounds / therapeutic use*
Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
Breast Neoplasms / pathology
Female
Humans

Substances

Boron Compounds