Basic Knowledge and Research Progress on Cantharidin-based Molecules / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

This study was aimed to summarize main-bone structure of cantharidin-based small molecules and facts about three typical candidates including its origin, physical-chemical properties and general synthetic approaches. Basic chemical and pharmacological information as well as development of anti-cancer activities, which were related to cantharidin, norcantharidin and their analogues were reviewed, especially the relationship between the structures and their inhibitory activity and selectivity of serine-threonine protein phosphatases PP1, PP2A and PP2B in cancer treatment. The designs and developments of new biological cantharidin-based small molecules were also reviewed.