Interventional oncology: new options for interstitial treatments and intravascular approaches: targeting tumor metabolism via a loco-regional approach: a new therapy against liver cancer.
Recent research in tumor metabolism has uncovered cancer-cell-specific pathways that cancer cells depend on for energy production. 3-Bromopyruvate (3-BrPA), a specific alkylating agent and potent ATP inhibitor, has been shown both in vitro and in vivo to disrupt some of these cancer-specific metabolic pathways, thereby leading to the demise of the cancer cells through apoptosis. 3-BrPA has been successfully tested in animal models of liver cancer. For optimal results, 3-BrPA can be delivered intra-arterially, with minimal toxicity to the surrounding hepatic parenchyma. In the era of development of drugs with lower toxicity for the treatment of liver cancer, inhibition of cancer metabolism with 3-BrPA appears to be a very attractive potent novel therapeutic option.
Liapi
Eleni
E
Division of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology, The Russell H Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
Geschwind
Jean-Francois
JF
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D006499:Hepatic Artery; D006801:Humans; D007269:Injections, Intra-Arterial; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D008115:Liver Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects; D011169:Portal Vein; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents