ENOX2 (or tNOX): a new and old molecule with cancer activity involved in tumor prevention and therapy

Cancer includes a number of related diseases due to abnormal cell proliferation that spreads to nearby tissues. Many compounds (physical, chemical and biological) have been used to try to halt this abnormal proliferation, but the therapeutic results are poor, due also to the side effects. It has been reported that ecto-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidase di-sulfide-thiol exchanger 2 (ENOX2), also known as tumor-associated nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide oxidase (tNOX), was found to be located on the cancer cell surface, essential for cancer cell growth. Capsaicin and other anti-oxidants are capable of inhibiting tNOX, causing apoptosis of cells, exerting anti-tumor activity. It is interesting that some authors reported that ENOX2 is present in the serum of cancer patients several years before the clinical symptoms of the tumor. However, this result has to be confirmed. In this article we discuss ENOX2 and its inhibition as a hope of improving cancer therapy.