[G-quadruplex ligands: mechanisms of anticancer action and target binding].

Since the discovery of potential therapeutic value of quadruplex secondary nucleic acids structures, many compounds that stabilize these targets were found. Such progress became possible due to understanding of the structural features of G-quadruplexes. Quadruplex ligands selectively suppress the growth of tumor cells by indirect inhibition of the telomerase activity and/or attenuation of oncogenes' overexpression. Therapeutic effect demonstrated in vivo supports the prospect of such compounds for the development of the targeted anticancer drugs. This review reveals the significance of G-quadruplexes as therapeutic targets and focuses on biochemical properties of the low molecular weight quadruplex ligands.