Description
Disulfiram is an inhibitor of aldehyde dehydrogenase that is clinically used to treat chronic alcohol dependence. Disulfiram prevents complete metabolism of alcohol, allowing acetaldehyde to build up. Disulfiram also exhibits anticancer and anti-parasitic activities. This compound inhibits the 26S proteasome, activating caspases 3 and 7 and inducing apoptosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), ovarian cancer, and breast cancer cells. Disulfiram also inhibits MGMT, potentially enhancing the efficacy of other co-administered chemotherapeutics. Additionally, disulfiram inhibits the growth of protozoans Trichomonas and Tritrichomonas.
References
Paranjpe A, Zhang R, Ali-Osman F, et al. Disulfiram is a direct and potent inhibitor of human O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) in brain tumor cells and mouse brain and markedly increases the alkylating DNA damage. Carcinogenesis. 2014 Mar;35(3):692-702. PMID: 24193513.
Wickström M, Danielsson K, Rickardson L, et al. Pharmacological profiling of disulfiram using human tumor cell lines and human tumor cells from patients. Biochem Pharmacol. 2007 Jan 1;73(1):25-33. PMID: 17026967.
Bouma MJ, Snowdon D, Fairlamb AH, et al. Activity of disulfiram (bis(diethylthiocarbamoyl)disulphide) and ditiocarb (diethyldithiocarbamate) against metronidazole-sensitive and -resistant Trichomonas vaginalis and Tritrichomonas foetus. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1998 Dec;42(6):817-20. PMID: 10052908.
Wright C, Moore RD. Disulfiram treatment of alcoholism. Am J Med. 1990 Jun;88(6):647-55. Review. Erratum in: Am J Med 1991 Oct;91(4):446. PMID: 2189310.
