Title:D-allose: Molecular Pathways and Therapeutic Capacity in Cancer
Volume: 16
Author(s): Sahar Khajeh, Maryam Ganjavi, Ghodratollah Panahi, Mina Zare, Mohammadreza Zare, Seyed Mohammad Tahami*Vahid Razban*
Affiliation:
- Bone and Joint Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical
Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Stem Cell Technology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Keywords:
D-allose, cancer, thioredoxin interacting protein, metabolic reprogramming, cell cycle, autophagy, reactive oxygen species.
Abstract:
Background: Despite the implementation of various cancer therapies, adequate therapeutic
efficacy has not been achieved. A growing number of studies have been dedicated to the discovery of
new molecules to combat refractory cancer cells efficiently. Recently, the use of a rare type of sugar,
D-allose, has attracted the attention of research communities. In combination with the first-line treatment
of cancers, including different types of radiotherapies and chemotherapies, D-allose has been detected
with favorable complementary effects.
Understanding the mechanism of therapeutic target molecules will enable us to develop new strategies
for cancer patients that do not currently respond to the present therapies.
Objective: We aimed to provide a review of the effects of D-allose in cancer treatment, its mechanisms
of action, and gaps in this field that require more investigations.
Discussion: With rare exceptions, in many cancer types, including head and neck, lung, liver, bladder,
blood, and breast, D-allose consistently has exhibited anticancer activity in vitro and/or in vivo. Most
of the D-allose functions are mediated through thioredoxin-interacting protein molecules. D-allose exerts
its effects via reactive oxygen species regulation, cell cycle arrest, metabolic reprogramming, autophagy,
apoptosis induction, and sensitizing tumors to radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Conclusion: D-allose has shown great promise for combating tumor cells with no side effects, especially
in combination with first-line drugs; however, its potential for cancer therapy has not been comprehensively
investigated in vitro or >in vivo.