| EDUCATIONAL FORUM |
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| Year : 2021 | Volume
: 53
| Issue : 3 | Page : 221-225 |
Copper-lowering agents as an adjuvant in chemotherapy
Pramod Kadu1, Bhakti Sawant1, Pravin Popatrao Kale2, Kedar Prabhavalkar2
1 Department of Pharmaceutics, SVKM'S Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
2 Department of Pharmacology, SVKM'S Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Pramod Kadu
Department of Pharmaceutics, SVKM'S Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai - 400 056, Maharashtra
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/ijp.IJP_68_20
Copper is an important element essential for metabolism and normal human body function. Although it is an essential element, related imbalance leads to toxic effects. Studies have proved that there is an increase in copper level in cancer cells. Evidences suggest the link between increase in copper levels and progression of various types of cancers. Different strategies have been utilized to decrease the level of copper in various types of cancer cells. However, it was observed that cell machinery involved in copper homeostasis plays critical factor in lowering copper levels in cancer cells. The outcomes of many monotherapies consisting copper-lowering agents for the treatment of different types of cancers showed that the inhibition of single factor is not sufficient to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. The combination of copper-lowering agent with chemotherapeutic agent showed synergistic effect. Interestingly, the presence of copper-lowering agent in such combinations significantly improved the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agent. The present work has focused on the discussion of outcomes of studies involving anti-copper agent and chemotherapeutic agent and related future strategies.
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