Description
Illudins are fungal sesquiterpenes that, through their unique DNA alkylating actions, have anticancer potential. Illudin S is a cytotoxic illudin that is converted, intracellularly, to metabolites that cause a complete block of cell cycling at the G
1-S phase interface, particularly in myeloid and T-lymphocyte leukemia cells (IC
50 = 6-11 nM). T-lymphocyte leukemia CEM cells that are resistant to doxorubicin , epipodophyllotoxins, and 1-β-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine display only 2-fold increased resistance to illudin S. Illudin S metabolites induce DNA damage that is not repaired by the processes that counter conventional DNA alkylating agents.
Uses
Illudin S is potent antitumor sesquiterpene, first isolated from the fungus, Clitocybe illudens, in 1963. Illudin S is metabolically activated to reactive intermediates that bind DNA. The DNA damage appears to differ from that of other reactive metabolites. Importantly, illudin S exhibits in vitro and in vivo potency against multi-drug resistant tumours.
