Alky-lysophospholipids (ALPs) are synthetic
analogs of
lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs), also called lysolecithins. They are synthesized by replacing the acyl-group within the LPC with an
alkyl group
In organic chemistry, an alkyl group is an alkane missing one hydrogen.
The term ''alkyl'' is intentionally unspecific to include many possible substitutions.
An acyclic alkyl has the general formula of . A cycloalkyl is derived from a cycloalk ...
.
In contrast to LPCs, ALPs are metabolically very stable.
ALPs are being studied for their potential
antineoplastic (anti-cancer)
and
immune-modulating effects.
Their anti-tumor effects are due to modulation of intracellular signalling pathways, inducing
apoptosis
Apoptosis (from grc, ἀπόπτωσις, apóptōsis, 'falling off') is a form of programmed cell death that occurs in multicellular organisms. Biochemical events lead to characteristic cell changes (morphology) and death. These changes incl ...
.
It is highly selective, sparing healthy cells.
Several examples including
edelfosine,
miltefosine
Miltefosine, sold under the trade name Impavido among others, is a medication mainly used to treat leishmaniasis and free-living amoeba infections such as ''Naegleria fowleri'' and '' Balamuthia mandrillaris''. This includes the three forms of l ...
, and
perifosine
Perifosine (also KRX-0401) is a former drug candidate that was under development for a variety of cancer indications. It is an alkyl-phospholipid structurally related to miltefosine. Perifosine interrupts the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway by acting as an ...
are under
development
Development or developing may refer to:
Arts
*Development hell, when a project is stuck in development
*Filmmaking, development phase, including finance and budgeting
*Development (music), the process thematic material is reshaped
*Photographi ...
as drugs against cancer and other diseases.
References
{{Reflist
Experimental cancer drugs
Lipids