Fusaric acid: a novel agent and mechanism to treat HNSCC.
OBJECTIVE
A new class of carboxylic acids has tumoricidal activity for head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). Fusaric acid (FA) can chelate divalent cations, especially zinc, and inactivate zinc finger proteins involved in DNA repair and protein synthesis.


METHODS
2 squamous carcinoma lines were utilized for in vitro and in vivo portions of this study. Cell counting and flow cytometry were used to analyze cells in culture in treatment and control groups over 96 hours. HNSCC subcutaneous implants were created in treatment and control groups of BALB-c nude mice (N = 30).


RESULTS
In vitro studies demonstrated significant changes in cell numbers and cell cycle. In vivo studies of daily intralesional therapy for 1 month also showed reduced onset of growth and overall growth compared to controls.


CONCLUSIONS
FA appears to have a tumoristatic/tumoricidal effect on HNSCC. Further nude mice studies are needed to optimize dosing and administration regimens for FA in anticipation of clinical trials.
Stack
Brendan C
BC
Division of Otolaryngology-HNS, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17003, USA. bstack@psu.edu
Hansen
J Paul
JP
Ruda
James M
JM
Jaglowski
Jeff
J
Shvidler
Joseph
J
Hollenbeak
Christopher S
CS
D000818:Animals; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005669:Fusaric Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D005669:Fusaric Acid