Hyaluronan oligosaccharides as a potential anticancer therapeutic

Curr Pharm Biotechnol. 2008 Aug;9(4):249-52. doi: 10.2174/138920108785161569.

Abstract

Hyaluronan (HA) polysaccharide has differential effects on cells depending on polymer size. One of the more exciting findings is that small chains or oligosaccharides of HA (6-18 sugar units), but not large polymers, will kill many types of cancer cells by triggering apoptosis while leaving normal cells unaffected. Even chemoresistant cells become drug-sensitive when co-treated with HA oligosaccharides. Overall, these observations form the basis for new anticancer therapeutics.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / metabolism
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple / drug effects
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronan Receptors / metabolism
  • Hyaluronic Acid / chemistry
  • Hyaluronic Acid / metabolism
  • Hyaluronic Acid / therapeutic use*
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Oligosaccharides / chemistry
  • Oligosaccharides / metabolism
  • Oligosaccharides / therapeutic use*
  • Protein Binding

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Hyaluronan Receptors
  • Oligosaccharides
  • Hyaluronic Acid