A review of trabectedin (ET-743): a unique mechanism of action.

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D'Incalci M, Galmarini CM

A review of trabectedin (ET-743): a unique mechanism of action.

Mol Cancer Ther. 2010 Aug;9(8):2157-63. doi: 10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-10-0263. Epub 2010 Jul 20.

PubMed ID

20647340 [ View in PubMed

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Abstract

Trabectedin (ET-743) is a marine alkaloid isolated from the Caribbean tunicate Ecteinascidia turbinata, with a chemical structure characterized by three fused tetrahydroisoquinoline rings. Two of these rings (subunits A and B) provide the framework for covalent interaction with the minor groove of the DNA double helix, whereas the third ring (subunit C) protrudes from the DNA duplex, apparently allowing interactions with adjacent nuclear proteins. The compound's chemical interactions trigger a cascade of events that interfere with several transcription factors, DNA binding proteins, and DNA repair pathways, likely to be different from other DNA-interacting agents. Trabectedin also causes modulation of the production of cytokines and chemokines by tumor and normal cells, suggesting that the antitumor activity could also be ascribed to changes in the tumor microenvironment. The promising data on the combination of trabectedin with other anticancer agents, observed in preclinical systems, have prompted several clinical studies that are currently ongoing. One of these combinations (trabectedin-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin) was recently authorized by the European Commission for the treatment of patients with relapsed platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Targets

Drug	Target	Kind	Organism	Pharmacological Action	Actions
Trabectedin	DNA	Nucleotide	Humans	Yes	Binder	Details