METHODS OF SCREENING COMPOUNDS THAT ARE CYTOTOXIC TO TUMOR CELLS AND METHODS OF TREATING TUMOR CELLS USING SUCH COMPOUND

摘要

The invention relates to methods of screening to find compounds that are cytotoxic to tumor cells and methods of treating tumor cells using these compounds. In particular, the invention relates to methods of screening for compounds that inhibit mammalian mitochondrial fatty acid synthase (mmFAS) and methods of treating tumor cells using mmFAS inhibitors. This invention also provides methods for inhibiting or preventing cancer cell survival by the administration of mitochondrial fatty acid synthase (FAS) inhibitors. Specifically, this invention describes a method for prohibiting or delaying the development of cancer, the growth of cancer or invasion of cancer from pre-malignant (noninvasive) lesions, or metastasis of cancer based upon the findings that this method compromises energy balance in cancer cells, in turn compromising their basic functions and causing their cell death. Compositions of matter containing mitochondrial FAS inhibition activity are also provided, as well as applications based upon the requisite role of mitochondrial FAS in cancer cell homeostasis.