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Norcantharidin and its anti-cancer effects and mechanisms

  • Fan Yue-Zu ,
  • Jing Wei ,
  • Sun Jian-Jun
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  • Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200065, China

Online published: 2012-01-25

Abstract

Norcantharidin (NCTD) is a demethylated derivative of cantharidin which is an anticancer active ingredient of traditional Chinese medicine,and currently used clinically as a routine anti-cancer drug in China.Distinctly,understanding the anticancer effects and molecular mechanisms of NCTD is an important key for NCTD that serves as an anticancer drug in clinic.But,NCTD’s anticancer effects and mechanisms remain to be rarely elucidated.Here,we will review the key anticancer effects of NCTD,such as inducing cell apoptosis,inhibiting cell proliferation,blocking tumor invasion and metastasis,anti-angiogenesis and/or anti-vasculogenic mimicry,and their molecular mechanisms.

Cite this article

Fan Yue-Zu , Jing Wei , Sun Jian-Jun . Norcantharidin and its anti-cancer effects and mechanisms[J]. Surgical Research and New Technique, 2012 , 1(1) : 13 -18 . DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-378X.2012.01.004

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