Novel strategies for targeting the thioredoxin system for cancer therapy.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The thioredoxin system is increasingly recognized as an important executor for maintaining cell redox homeostasis and regulating multiple cell signaling pathways. Targeting this system for cancer treatment has therefore attracted much attention. AREAS COVERED The authors focus on providing coverage and emphasizing the strategy of targeting the thioredoxin system to develop anticancer therapeutics in the past five years, especially from the perspective of discovering novel protein functions or new downstream regulatory pathways, and designing new therapeutic reagents. The authors also provide the readers with their expert perspectives for future development. EXPERT OPINION The limited pharmacophore of inhibitors and the slow progress of clinical research partially restrict the development of anticancer drugs targeting the thioredoxin system, necessitating thus novel strategies to accelerate the system for treating cancer. Nevertheless, the synergistic targeting of thioredoxin system for cancer therapy is a promising strategy, particularly with regards to chemotherapy resistance and/or sensitization immunotherapy.