Targeting the nucleotide metabolism proteins of the NUDIX family and SAMHD1 in cancer

Abstract

: The nucleotide metabolism has been targeted for many years and in various clinical settings, including cancer. The increased knowledge of certain enzymes involved in this metabolism and in associated cellular processes accumulated over the last few years, gives important information to the druggability of certain proteins and to the use of inhibitors for others. Here, we review recent data on such enzymes with major interest in drug development, i.e. SAMHD1 and the proteins of the NUDIX family. These include information on their roles in cancer progression, correlations with clinical outcome in cancer patients, and development and study of enzymatic inhibitors.