Application of G-quadruplex targets in gastrointestinal cancers: Advancements, challenges and prospects

Table 1 Overviews of investigations on the effects of small molecule ligands or biomolecules based on G-quadruplex targets in esophageal cancer

Ligands/biomolecules	Cell lines	Targeting gene/G-quadruplex	Effects on G-quadruplex	Effects on genes	Anticancer phenotypes	Ref.
2,6-bis[3-(N-Piperidino) propionamido] anthrace- ne-9,10-dione	BIC-1, SEG-1	Telomere	Not detected	Shortened telomeres	Inhibited telomerase activity, arrested cell proliferation, reduced colony number and size, and promoted cell apoptosis	[127]
Zinc benzoate erpyridine complexes (1-6)	Eca-109	G2T4G2CA, G2GT4G2T	Bound with G-quadruplex	Not detected	Inhibited cell proliferation	[128]