Advances of Anti-tumor Effects of Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase Inhibitors

Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase(NAMPT) is the key enzyme in the salvaging biosynthetic pathway of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide(NAD) in mammals cells. By synthesizing NAD, NAMPT is involved in many important cellular processes. In recent years, studies have shown that NAMPT is closely related with the occurrence and development of tumors, and the inhibition of NAMPT achieved anti-tumor effects. NAMPT has been recognized as a novel potential target of the treatment of tumors. NAMPT inhibitors including FK866 and GMX1778 have been registered for clinical trials on the treatment of tumors. NAMPT inhibitors can induce cell apoptosis, autophagy, and inhibit proliferation and angiogenesis. It is reviewed the recent advances of the studies on anti-tumor effects of NAMPT inhibitors.