Recent Advances in the Development of Sigma Receptor Ligands as Cytotoxic Agents: A Medicinal Chemistry Perspective

J Med Chem. 2021 Jun 24;64(12):7926-7962. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c02265. Epub 2021 Jun 2.

Abstract

Since their discovery as distinct receptor proteins, the specific physiopathological role of sigma receptors (σRs) has been deeply investigated. It has been reported that these proteins, classified into two subtypes indicated as σ1 and σ2, might play a pivotal role in cancer growth, cell proliferation, and tumor aggressiveness. As a result, the development of selective σR ligands with potential antitumor properties attracted significant attention as an emerging theme in cancer research. This perspective deals with the recent advances of σR ligands as novel cytotoxic agents, covering articles published between 2010 and 2020. An up-to-date description of the medicinal chemistry of selective σ1R and σ2R ligands with antiproliferative and cytotoxic activities has been provided, including major pharmacophore models and comprehensive structure-activity relationships for each main class of σR ligands.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Heterocyclic Compounds / chemistry
  • Heterocyclic Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Heterocyclic Compounds / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Molecular Structure
  • Receptors, sigma / agonists*
  • Receptors, sigma / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Heterocyclic Compounds
  • Ligands
  • Receptors, sigma