Therapeutic Effect of Quinacrine, an Antiprotozoan Drug, by Selective Suppression of p-CHK1/2 in p53-Negative Malignant Cancers.

Quinacrine (QNC), antiprotozoan drug commonly used against and , has been recently tried for rheumatics and prion diseases via drug repositioning. In addition, several reports suggest antitumor effects of QNC through suppression of NF-κB and activation of p53. This study demonstrates the anticancer effect of QNC via a novel pathway through the elimination of checkpoint kinase 1/2 (Chk1/2) under p53-inactivated conditions.

Loss of VHL promotes progerin expression, leading to impaired p14/ARF function and suppression of p53 activity.

Renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) are frequently occurring genitourinary malignancies in the aged population. A morphological characteristic of RCCs is an irregular nuclear shape, which is used to index cancer grades. Other features of RCCs include the genetic inactivation of the von Hippel-Lindau gene, VHL, and p53 genetic-independent inactivation.