title: Iron chelation in the treatment of cancer: a new role for deferasirox?
abstract: Iron plays a crucial role in a number of metabolic pathways including oxygen transport, DNA synthesis, and ATP generation. Although insufficient systemic iron can result in physical impairment, excess iron has also been implicated in a number of diseases including ischemic heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Iron chelators are agents which bind iron and facilitate its excretion. Experimental iron chelators have demonstrated potent anti-neoplastic properties in a number of cancers in vitro. These agents have yet to be translated into clinical practice, however, largely due to the significant side effects encountered in pre-clinical models. A number of licensed chelators, however, are currently in clinical use for the treatment of iron overload associated with certain non-neoplastic diseases. Deferasirox is one such agent and the drug has shown significant anti-tumor effects in a number of in vitro and in vivo studies. Deferasirox is orally administered and has demonstrated a good side effect profile in clinical practice to date. It represents an attractive agent to take forward into clinical trials of iron chelators as anti-cancer agents.
authors.affiliation: School of Cancer Studies, Department of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Matthew R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Bedford
authors.forename: Samuel J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.forename: Richard D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Horniblow
authors.forename: Tariq H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Iqbal
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tselepis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001565:Benzoates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077588:Deferasirox; D000077543:Deferiprone; D003676:Deferoxamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011728:Pyridones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014230:Triazoles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001565:Benzoates; D007502:Iron Chelating Agents; D011728:Pyridones; D014230:Triazoles; D000077543:Deferiprone; D003676:Deferoxamine; D000077588:Deferasirox
keywords: cancer; chelators; deferasirox; iron; tumorigenesis