Innovative substance 2250 as a highly promising anti-neoplastic agent in malignant pancreatic carcinoma - in vitro and in vivo

Abstract Background Former studies already revealed the anti-neoplastic properties of the anti-infective agent Taurolidine (TRD) against many tumor species in vitro and in vivo . Its anti-proliferative and cell death inducing capacity is largely due to its main derivative Taurultam (TRLT). In this study it could be demonstrated, that substance 2250 - a newly defined innovative structural analogue of TRLT - exhibits an anti-neoplastic effect on malignant pancreatic carcinoma in vitro and in vivo. Methods The anti-neoplastic potential of substance 2250 as well as its mode of action was demonstrated in extensive in vitro analysis, followed by successful and effective in vivo testings, using xenograft models derived from established pancreatic cancer cell lines as well as patient derived tissue. Results Our functional analysis regarding the role of oxidative stress (ROS) and caspase activated apoptosis showed, that ROS driven programmed cell death (PCD) is the major mechanisms induced by substance 2250 in pancreatic carcinoma. What is strongly relevant towards clinical practice is especially the observed inhibition of patient derived pancreatic cancer tumor growth in mice treated with this new substance in combination with its sharply higher metabolic stability. Conclusion These encouraging results provide new therapeutical opportunities in pancreatic cancer treatment and build the basis for further functional analysis as well as first clinical studies for this promising agent.