Overview of the progress and prospects of SMAC mimetics in cancers: Is it a silver bullet?

Elvina Almuradova; Durr-E-Shahwar Malik; Sara Yousaf; Ammad Ahmad Farooqi

doi:10.5937/arhfarm72-39318

Elvina Almuradova Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ege University Medical School
Durr-E-Shahwar Malik Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, PUMHSW
Sara Yousaf Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, PUMHSW
Ammad Ahmad Farooqi Institute of Biomedical and Genetic Engineering

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5937/arhfarm72-39318

Keywords: SMAC mimetics, cancer treatment, apoptosis, metastasis, tumor growth inhibition

Abstract

Loss of apoptosis results in the survival and uncontrolled proliferation of cancer cells. Basic and clinical researchers have dissected myriads of central regulators of apoptosis. Second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases (SMAC)/ direct inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP)-binding protein with low pI (DIABLO) has attracted phenomenal attention because of its amazing ability to trigger apoptotic death. Accordingly, different teams of interdisciplinary researchers are working on the design and development of SMAC mimetics which can significantly inhibit primary and secondary tumor growth.

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