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Figure 2 | Breast Cancer Research

Figure 2

From: Clioquinol and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate complex with copper to form proteasome inhibitors and apoptosis inducers in human breast cancer cells

Figure 2

Diagram of a proposed copper-targeting therapeutic strategy. Cancer cells contain high levels of copper compared to normal cells. Upon treatment with a copper-binding ligand, a proteasome inhibiting copper complex will be formed. Only a minimal amount of complex should be formed in normal cells, therefore making them resistant to proteasome inhibition. In contrast, cancer cells may have a high dose of complex formed and are thus sensitive to proteasome inhibition, resulting in apoptosis. Copper forms the basis of the selection criteria between normal and tumor cells.

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