Introduction

A new therapy is presented, based on the use of antibiotic derivatives, for the treatment of tumors, such as glioblastoma, acute myeloid leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, epithelial ovarian cancer, ductal adenocarcinoma, melanoma, colorectal, prostate, breast and lung cancer.

Technical features

The combination of streptogramin antibiotics quinupristin/dalfopristin (Q/D) is effective in inhibiting the growth of patient-derived glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). GSCs are considered responsible for tumor initiation, progression, and drug resistance and rely on oxidative phosphorylation for their high energy demand. Q/D is over an order of magnitude more effective in GSC growth inhibition than temozolomide, the only drug used in first line glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) therapy. Q/D is able to reduce the growth of GSCs also in vivo, significantly prolonging the survival of GBM-bearing mice. Being Q/D an already FDA-approved drug, it could be easily repurposed for the treatment of GBM. Moreover, many other streptogramin A derivatives are identified to be used alone or in combination with quinupristin to be candidate for the treatment of GBM and other tumors dependent on oxidative phosphorylation.

Possible Applications

• New therapeutic approach for the treatment of tumors dependent on oxidative phosphorylation;
• Therapeutic approach for different tumor types;
• Good drug candidates for important medical needs.

Advantages

• Good drug candidates able to selectively eliminate cancer stem cells and with the potential to prevent disease recurrence;
• Versatile: suitable for the treatment of different types of tumour;
• Being Q/D an already FDA approved drug, it could be simply repurposed for its use for tumors treatment.