Deferasirox, a novel oral iron chelator, shows antiproliferative activity against pancreatic cancer in vitro and in vivo

Iron is essential for cell replication, metabolism and growth. Because neoplastic cells have high iron requirements due to their rapid proliferation, iron depletion may be a novel therapeutic strategy for cancer. Deferasirox (DFX), a novel oral iron chelator, has been successful in clinical trials in iron-overload patients and has been expected to become an anticancer agent.

Harima et al BMC Cancer (2016) 16:702 DOI 10.1186/s12885-016-2744-9 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access Deferasirox, a novel oral iron chelator, shows antiproliferative activity against pancreatic cancer in vitro and in vivo Hirofumi Harima1†, Seiji Kaino1*, Taro Takami1†, Shuhei Shinoda1, Toshihiko Matsumoto1,2, Koichi Fujisawa1, Naoki Yamamoto1, Takahiro Yamasaki2 and Isao Sakaida1 Abstract Background: Iron is essential for cell replication, metabolism and growth Because neoplastic cells have high iron requirements due to their rapid proliferation, iron depletion may be a novel therapeutic strategy for cancer Deferasirox (DFX), a novel oral iron chelator, has been successful in clinical trials in iron-overload patients and has been expected to become an anticancer agent However, no studies have investigated the effects of DFX on pancreatic cancer This study aimed to elucidate the effects of DFX against pancreatic cancer Methods: The effects of DFX on cell cycle, proliferation, and apoptosis were examined in three human pancreatic cancer cell lines: BxPC-3, HPAF-II, and Panc 10.05 The effect of orally administered DFX on the growth of BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer xenografts was also examined in nude mice Additionally, microarray analysis was performed using tumors excised from xenografts Results: DFX inhibited pancreatic cancer cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner A concentration of 10 μM DFX arrested the cell cycle in S phase, whereas 50 and 100 μM DFX induced apoptosis In nude mice, orally administered DFX at 160 and 200 mg/kg suppressed xenograft tumor growth with no serious side effects (n = 5; average tumor volumes of 674 mm3 for controls vs 327 mm3 for 160 mg/kg DFX, p