Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors for the treatment of tumors: Therapeutic, immunologic, and diagnostic tools targeting isoforms IX and XII

This chapter describes the role of membrane-bound carbonic anhydrase (CA) isozymes CA IX and CA XII in normal tissues and in tumors, where external factors such as hypoxia trigger their overexpression with significant consequences toward tumor environment, tumor remodeling, and dynamics. The contrasting biodistribution of these CA isozymes between tumors and normal tissues transforms these proteins in biomarkers for cancer progression and patient prognosis. We are presenting an overview of the available technologies targeting CA IX and CA XII for both imaging and/or therapeutic purposes, spanning different classes of chemical and biological entities. Whenever possible, we emphasized relevant translational efforts made to move these technologies to full clinical exploitation, emphasizing the stage reached, key advantages, and limitations.