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Updated: Sep 26, 2025

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo
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Published on: February 6, 2015

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Repurposing Disulfiram as a Chemo-Therapeutic Sensitizer: Molecular Targets and Mechanisms

Feilong Sun1,2, Hongzhi Wang1,3, Jinfu Nie1,3

  • 1Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Medical Physics and Technology, Institute of Health and Medical Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui, China.

Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
|April 18, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Disulfiram (DSF), an alcoholism drug, shows promise in reversing chemotherapy resistance in cancer. Clinical trials explore DSF combinations to enhance chemotherapy effectiveness, offering a potential repurposed treatment strategy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Chemotherapy remains a primary cancer treatment strategy.
  • Chemotherapy resistance is a significant clinical challenge, limiting treatment efficacy.
  • Disulfiram (DSF), an FDA-approved alcoholism medication, exhibits anticancer properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the molecular targets and mechanisms by which Disulfiram (DSF) reverses chemotherapy resistance.
  • To discuss the potential and challenges of using DSF as a chemotherapeutic sensitizer.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on Disulfiram (DSF) and its role in cancer therapy.
  • Analysis of preclinical and clinical data regarding DSF in combination with chemotherapy drugs.

Main Results:

  • Disulfiram (DSF) has demonstrated efficacy in sensitizing various cancer types to chemotherapy.
  • Multiple studies and clinical trials support the use of DSF in combination therapies.
  • Identified molecular targets and mechanisms involved in DSF-mediated chemo-resistance reversal.

Conclusions:

  • Disulfiram (DSF) shows significant potential as a repurposed drug to overcome chemotherapy resistance.
  • DSF can enhance the efficacy of conventional chemotherapy, offering new therapeutic opportunities.
  • Further clinical investigation is warranted to fully establish DSF's role in cancer treatment.
Keywords:
Disulfiramanticancer mechanismschemo-therapychemo-therapy sensitizerdrug resistancemolecular targets

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