Targeting the L-Arginine-Nitric Oxide Pathway for Cancer Treatment

Title: Targeting the L-Arginine-Nitric Oxide Pathway for Cancer Treatment

Volume: 16 Issue: 4

Author(s): Qingyong Ma, Zheng Wang, Min Zhang, Hengtong Hu, Junhui Li, Dong Zhang, Kun Guo and Huanchen Sha

Affiliation:

Keywords: L-arginine, nitric oxide, nitric oxide synthase, tumor, cell apoptosis, cell proliferation, metastasis, cancer therapy

Abstract: The action of L-arginine is mainly dependent on its end-product, nitric oxide (NO). The L-arginine/NO pathway has been confirmed to play an important role in tumor development. Recent findings indicate that NO derived from L-arginine could influence angiogenesis factors, vascular permeability, perivascular-cell recruitment and vessel remodeling and maturation. Additionally, the Larginine/ NO pathway could activate a broad array of genes that are functionally involved in proliferation, metastasis and apoptosis. Interestingly, this pathway plays roles in both tumorigensis and tumor killing. The role of the L-arginine/NO pathway in tumor therapy has been well-studied. Members of this pathway have been reported to be promising therapeutic molecules in tumor therapy. This review article summarizes research data on the roles of the L-arginine/NO pathway in cancer biology and cancer therapy.

Cite this article as:

Ma Qingyong, Wang Zheng, Zhang Min, Hu Hengtong, Li Junhui, Zhang Dong, Guo Kun and Sha Huanchen, Targeting the L-Arginine-Nitric Oxide Pathway for Cancer Treatment, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2010; 16 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161210790232121