Darinaparsin is a dimethylated arsenic linked to glutathione. It is cytotoxic to DU145, LNCaP, and PC3 prostate cancer cells (IC50s = 5-10 µM) and patient-derived primary prostate cancer cells (IC50s = 2.5-20 µM), as well as Jurkat T cell lymphoma and L540 Hodgkin lymphoma cells (IC50s = 2.7 and 1.3 µM, respectively). [1][2] It decreases the tumor-initiating subpopulation in DU145 and PC3 cells and halts the cell cycle in the G2/M phase. Darinaparsin decreases transcription of Gli-2, a transcription factor that mediates Sonic hedgehog signaling, when used at a concentration of 1.5 but not 3 µM. It decreases SHP1 phosphatase activity and increases ERK phosphorylation. [2] Darinaparsin reduces tumor growth in DU145 and PC3 prostate cancer mouse xenograft models when administered at a dose of 100 mg/kg every other day.[1] |