Enzyme targeting strategies for prevention and treatment of cancer: Implications for cancer therapy

Abstract

Extensive growth of cancer in humans is a major cause of death. Numerous studies are being conducted to improve the early diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer. Recent technological advancements in medical science and research indicate molecular target therapy holds much promise in cancer treatment. In the past, therapeutic and diagnostic targeting of non-glycolytic and glycolytic enzymes in cancer have been successful, and discoveries of biomarker enzymes in cancer hold promise for therapeutic treatments. In this review, we discuss the roles of several cancer-associated enzymes that could potentially act as therapeutic targets, and place special focus on non-glycolytic and glycolytic enzymes. This review indicates that the targeting of metabolic signaling offers a promising means of developing novel anti-cancer therapies.

Keywords: ALDH1; ALPs; Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1; Alkaline phosphatases; Biomarkers; CAT; CAXII; Cancer; Carbonic anhydrase XII; Catalase; Enzymes; G6PD; Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase; Glycolysis; HKII; Hexokinase II; LDHA; Lactate dehydrogenase A; MMPs; Matrix metalloproteinases; NSE; Neurone-specific enolase; PK; Pyruvate kinase; SOD; Superoxide dismutase; Therapy; Urokinase plasminogen activator; uPA.