Approaches to repurposing reverse transcriptase antivirals in cancer

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Main Authors: Richard Head, Saiful Islam, Jennifer H. Martin
Format: Artículo Open Access
Published: Wiley 2025
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author Richard Head
Saiful Islam
Jennifer H. Martin
author_facet Richard Head
Saiful Islam
Jennifer H. Martin
Richard Head
Saiful Islam
Jennifer H. Martin
collection Wiley Open Access
contents Approaches to repurposing reverse transcriptase antivirals in cancer Richard Head Saiful Islam Jennifer H. Martin British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology This review highlights the role of reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibition in cellular regulation associated with non‐terminal repeat retrotransposons and endogenous retroviruses. Based on their pleiotropic characteristics, RT inhibitors (RTIs) are discussed as potential anticancer agents. Both the nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) display cytotoxicity in cancer cells which are likely mediated by endogenous RT inhibition and not necessarily by differing molecular structures. Three features of RTIs are evident in inducing cytotoxicity in cancer cells. Firstly, NRTIs and NNRTIs induce cell cycle arrest. Secondly, they suppress transposable elements, inhibit long interspersed nuclear elements (LINE)‐1, with RTI key in cytotoxicity in cancer cells. Thirdly, the cyclic GMP‐AMP‐synthase‐stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS‐STING) pathway can be activated by LINE‐1‐derived cytoplasmic DNA with promotion of p21‐dependent cell cycle arrest and cell‐mediated immune response. This suggests that RTIs induce DNA strand breaks with incomplete retrotransposition, initiate cell cycle arrest and an immune response. Additionally, poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase 1 and 2 ( PARP1 , PARP2 ) and its relationship with DNA methylation is highlighted in the context of LINE‐1 retrotransposition. There is a need to examine the relationship between PARP1, PARP2 and mutated BRCA proteins in normal and abnormal LINE‐1 retrotransposition. This review explores how efavirenz and related RT inhibitors suppress endogenous reverse transcriptase, providing a basis for preclinical evaluation of RT inhibitors as potential repurposed drugs for cancer treatment. 10.1002/bcp.70113 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
doi_str_mv 10.1002/bcp.70113
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spellingShingle Approaches to repurposing reverse transcriptase antivirals in cancer
Richard Head
Saiful Islam
Jennifer H. Martin
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
Approaches to repurposing reverse transcriptase antivirals in cancer Richard Head Saiful Islam Jennifer H. Martin British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology This review highlights the role of reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibition in cellular regulation associated with non‐terminal repeat retrotransposons and endogenous retroviruses. Based on their pleiotropic characteristics, RT inhibitors (RTIs) are discussed as potential anticancer agents. Both the nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) display cytotoxicity in cancer cells which are likely mediated by endogenous RT inhibition and not necessarily by differing molecular structures. Three features of RTIs are evident in inducing cytotoxicity in cancer cells. Firstly, NRTIs and NNRTIs induce cell cycle arrest. Secondly, they suppress transposable elements, inhibit long interspersed nuclear elements (LINE)‐1, with RTI key in cytotoxicity in cancer cells. Thirdly, the cyclic GMP‐AMP‐synthase‐stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS‐STING) pathway can be activated by LINE‐1‐derived cytoplasmic DNA with promotion of p21‐dependent cell cycle arrest and cell‐mediated immune response. This suggests that RTIs induce DNA strand breaks with incomplete retrotransposition, initiate cell cycle arrest and an immune response. Additionally, poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase 1 and 2 ( PARP1 , PARP2 ) and its relationship with DNA methylation is highlighted in the context of LINE‐1 retrotransposition. There is a need to examine the relationship between PARP1, PARP2 and mutated BRCA proteins in normal and abnormal LINE‐1 retrotransposition. This review explores how efavirenz and related RT inhibitors suppress endogenous reverse transcriptase, providing a basis for preclinical evaluation of RT inhibitors as potential repurposed drugs for cancer treatment. 10.1002/bcp.70113 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
title Approaches to repurposing reverse transcriptase antivirals in cancer
topic British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
url https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bcp.70113