青蒿素及其衍生物对肿瘤干细胞的作用研究进展

Research Progress on the Effect of Artemisinin and Its Derivatives on Cancer Stem Cells

肿瘤干细胞是一类具有干细胞样特性的细胞,具有独特的自我更新、增殖和分化能力,在肿瘤的发生、转移和复发中起着至关重要的作用,发现肿瘤干细胞抑制剂或者抑制肿瘤干细胞活性可能为肿瘤治疗提供新的策略。青蒿素是从菊科植物黄花蒿中提取分离的含有过氧桥药效团的倍半萜内酯化合物,是著名的抗疟药物。近年来的研究表明,青蒿素及其衍生物可以抗肿瘤,且具有选择性高、高效低毒、无交叉耐药的特点,其抗肿瘤不仅表现在抑制肿瘤细胞的活性上,而且也可抑制肿瘤干细胞的活性。因此,就青蒿素及其衍生物对肿瘤干细胞的影响及相关作用机制的研究进展进行综述。

Cancer stem cells(CSCs)are a kind of cells with stem-like properties,which have unique abilities of self-renewal,proliferation and differentiation.They play a vital role in the occurrence,metastasis and recurrence of the tumor.Therefore,the discovery of inhibitors against CSCs or the inhibition of the activity of CSCs may provide a new treatment strategy for tumor.Artemisinin,a famous antimalarial drug containing a peroxide bridge pharmacophore,is a sesquiterpene lactone compound extracted from compositae plant Artemisia annua.In recent years,studies have shown that artemisinin and its derivatives have the antitumor activity with high selectivity,high efficiency and low toxicity,and without cross resistance.They have the antitumor activity not only in inhibiting the activity of tumor cells,but also on CSCs.Therefore,this paper reviews the influence and relevant mechanisms of action of artemisinin and its derivatives on CSCs.