Serbian chemists have synthesised a similar compound to the anti-cancer drug paclitaxel, but while this new compound is also bad news for cancer cells, the mechanism it uses is quite different – autophagy instead of apoptosis. Paclitaxel causes cancer cells to self destruct, but cancer can become wise to this and become resistant. The new analogue uses autophagy to kill the cancer – a method of attack that’s getting increasing attention for anti-cancer drugs.
A novel C,D-spirolactone analogue of paclitaxel: autophagy instead of apoptosis as a previously unknown mechanism of cytotoxic action for taxoids
Milena Trmcic, Radomir Matovic, Gordana Tovilovic, Biljana Ristic, Vladimir Trajkovic, Zorana Ferjancic and Radomir Nikola Saicic