Enzyme Inhibitors of Cell-Surface Carbohydrates: Insects as Model Systems for Neuronal Development and Repair Mechanisms

Abstract

An experimental drug, PDMP, has been shown to block metastasis by inhibiting the display of carbohydrates on tumor cell surfaces. Further work with PDMP and related drugs to prevent the spread of cancer now seems justified. This work is intended to show that rapidly growing insect nerve cells can serve as a model for cancer in humans, and simple assays based on this approach should permit the testing of a large number of new drugs based on PDMP. Drugs that block the outgrowth of the insect nerve cells should also block the outgrowth of cancer cells in humans, or other vertebrate organisms. Using this approach we should be able to rapidly develop potent new drugs which will block metastasis in human cancers.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 2000
Accession Number
ADA382533

Entities

People

  • Robin Polt

Organizations

  • University of Arizona

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alcohols
  • Amines
  • Amino Acids
  • Carbohydrates
  • Cell Physiological Processes
  • Cells
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Electrospray Ionization
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Neoplasms
  • Nervous System
  • Neurons
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Spectra

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
  • Molecular and genetic basis of cancer.
  • Systems Analysis and Design