Colchine Analogues May Inhibit Cancer

Colchine Analogues May Inhibit Cancer

STONY BROOK, N.Y.Takingcolchine derivatives may combat cancer, according to a lecture given by EzioBombardelli, president of the Indena Scientific Board. The speech was deliveredat a symposium titled New Horizons in Organic Chemistry, held at StonyBrook University.

According to Bombardelli, toxicity has historically limiteduse of colchine, an alkaloid extracted from the seeds of Colchicumautumnale, a botanical used anecdotally for treatmentof aching joints. However, new research conducted by Indena suggests dimericderivatives of thiocolchine formulated with human serum albumin produce areduction in toxicological effects as well as an increase in therapeuticefficacy, Bombardelli said. By modifying their molecular structure, these dimerscan both interact with topoisomerasis I, an enzyme involved in DNA repetition,and inhibit tubulin polymerization, a recognized mechanism for this class ofcompounds, the new findings suggest.

Thanks to this double action mechanism, dimers ofthiocolchicine are extremely active against cellular lines of colon cancerresistant to treatment with cisplatinum, Bombardelli said.

For more information, visit www.indena.com or Booth #5021 atSupplySide West.