Diethyldithiocarbamate-copper nanocomplex reinforces disulfiram chemotherapeutic efficacy through light-triggered nuclear targeting.

ABSTRACT: To circumvent the huge cost, long R&D time and the difficulty to identify the targets of new drugs, repurposing the ones that have been clinically approved has been considered as a viable strategy to treat different diseases. In the current study, we outlined the rationale for repurposing disulfiram (DSF, an old alcohol-aversion drug) to treat primary breast cancer and its metastases. Methods: To overcome a few shortcomings of the individual administration of DSF, such as the dependence on copper ions (Cu²⁺) and limited capability in selective targeting, we here artificially synthesized the active form of DSF, diethyldithiocarbamate (DTC)-Cu complex (CuET) for cancer therapeutics. To achieve a greater efficacy in vivo, smart nanomedicines were devised through a one

SUBMITTER: Ren L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7255023 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature