Elesclomol (INN, codenamed STA-4783) is a drug that triggers apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells. It is being developed by Synta Pharmaceuticals and GlaxoSmithKline as a chemotherapy adjuvant, and has received both fast track and orphan drug status from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of metastatic melanoma.[1] Synta Pharmaceuticals announced on February 26, 2009 the suspension of all clinical trials involving Elesclomol due to safety concerns.[2] In March 2010, Synta announced that the FDA had approved resuming clinical development of elesclomol, and that they expected to initiate one or more clinical trials for elesclomol in the second half of the year.[3]
In a small, randomized phase II study, elesclomol was shown to significantly increase progression-free survival in people with metastatic melanoma when given in addition to paclitaxel (Taxol).[4][5]
Mechanism of action[edit]
Elesclomol induces oxidative stress by provoking a buildup of reactive oxygen species within cancer cells.[6]
References[edit]
- ^ "Synta And GlaxoSmithKline Announce Elesclomol Granted Orphan Drug Designation By The FDA" (Press release). Medical News Today. January 30, 2008. Retrieved November 30, 2008.
- ^ "Synta Pharmaceuticals press release". February 26, 2009.
- ^ "Synta Announces Elesclomol Clinical Development to Resume". March 2, 2010.
- ^ "Prous Science Molecule of the Month: Elesclomol". Thomson Reuters. December 2007. Retrieved November 30, 2008.
- ^ Qu Y, Wang J, Sim MS, et al. (June 2010). "Elesclomol, counteracted by Akt survival signaling, enhances the apoptotic effect of chemotherapy drugs in breast cancer cells". Breast Cancer Res. Treat. 121 (2): 311–21. doi:10.1007/s10549-009-0470-6. PMID 19609669.
- ^ Kirshner JR, He S, Balasubramanyam V, et al. (August 2008). "Elesclomol induces cancer cell apoptosis through oxidative stress". Mol Cancer Ther 7 (8): 2319–27. doi:10.1158/1535-7163.MCT-08-0298. PMID 18723479.
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