Metronidazole (Flagyl), misonidazole (Ro 07-0582), iron, zinc and sulphur compounds in cancer therapy

authored by

D. Bahnemann, H. Basaga, J. R. Dunlop, A. J. Searle, R. L. Willson

Abstract

The nitro radiosensitizers, metronidazole and misonidazole, have been shown to react rapidly with the sulphydryl compounds cysteine and cysteamine in the presence of ferrous ions. Similar reactions occur in the presence of copper ions but these are much slower. The initial interactions of the drugs and of oxygen with an iron-cysteine complex are extremely rapid: in the case of oxygen reaction half lives of 27 ms have been measured. Misonidazole also reacts rapidly with glutathione in the presence of ferrous ions and is subsequently reduced: metronidazole is reduced only slowly if at all. These reactions, which have been found to be inhibited by high concentrations of zinc ions, are discussed in the light of the known radiosensitizing and chemotherapeutic efficiencies of the nitro drugs and the side effect of peripheral neuropathy sometimes observed during their clinical use.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Technical Chemistry

Type

Article

Journal

British Journal of Cancer

Volume

37

Pages

16-19

No. of pages

4

ISSN

0007-0920

Publication date

1978

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Oncology, Cancer Research

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being