Enzyme therapy of cancer, future studies

The dramatic clinical responses to L-asparaginase led to renewed interest in other enzymes that might be effective antitumor agents. Biochemical and nutritional studies on animal and human tumors have shown that enzymatic depletion of glutamine, arginine, cysteine, citrulline, and serine could have selective cytotoxicity for some tumors. Several glutaminase-asparaginase enzymes have antitumor activity in animals and man. These enzymes are currently in phase I trials. Arginine-depleting enzymes with suitable properties of therapy have been developed and are in preclinical study. Enzymes have not yet been found that can adequately deplete circulating levels of cysteine, citrulline, or serine for treatment of cancer.