title: Carnosine and cancer: a perspective.
abstract: The application of carnosine in medicine has been discussed since several years, but many claims of therapeutic effects have not been substantiated by rigorous experimental examination. In the present perspective, a possible use of carnosine as an anti-neoplastic therapeutic, especially for the treatment of malignant brain tumours such as glioblastoma is discussed. Possible mechanisms by which carnosine may perform its anti-tumourigenic effects are outlined and its expected bioavailability and possible negative and positive side effects are considered. Finally, alternative strategies are examined such as treatment with other dipeptides or β-alanine.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurochirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig AöR, 04103, Leipzig, Germany. Frank.Gaunitz@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gaunitz
authors.forename: Alan R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Hipkiss
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002336:Carnosine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015091:beta-Alanine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015091:beta-Alanine; D002336:Carnosine