Efeitos da espermidina e seus derivados em tumores do sistema nervoso central : uma revisão integrativa da literatura

Abstract

Tumors of the central nervous system (CNS), which includes organs such as the brain and spinal cord, are characterized by uncontrolled growth, gradual or sudden onset of symptoms, limited treatment options, and low survival rates in more aggressive forms. In this context, natural products emerge as an alternative therapeutic strategy due to their ability to act on tumor pathways with reduced toxicity and increased selectivity, also serving as a basis for the development of new pharmaceutical entities. Among these, Spermidine stands out as a polycation that acts in hypusination, a process essential for cell proliferation, whose dysregulation is associated with tumor progression. This review article aimed to identify, in the scientific literature, the effects of the polyamine spermidine (Spd) and its derivatives on CNS tumors.The literature search was conducted in the databases PUBMED, SCIENCE DIRECT, SCIELO, and CAPES Journals, using the descriptors “Spermidine,” “Central Nervous System,” and “Cancer.” Inclusion criteria consisted of articles published in Portuguese and English in the last 10 years. After analysis, 18 articles were selected and grouped into five thematic categories: the potential of spermidine as an enhancer of anticancer therapies; spermidine as a therapeutic target; spermidine as an inhibitor in anticancer treatment; the relationship between spermidine, autophagy, and cancer; and the relationship between spermidine and ferroptosis.The findings indicate that spermidine plays a significant role in regulating essential cellular mechanisms such as homeostasis, cell proliferation, immunosuppression, and metabolic signaling, all of which are also involved in tumor progression. Moreover, spermidine, its derivatives, and analogs have demonstrated selectivity and efficacy in inhibiting tumors in different studies. Although there are challenges related to bioavailability and the blood-brain barrier, the available data suggest that modulation of spermidine and its metabolism represents a promising anticancer therapeutic approach. Therefore, spermidine appears to have relevant therapeutic potential and may contribute to conventional strategies for treating CNS tumors.