Potential of iron chelators as effective antiproliferative agents

Initially the impetus to develop iron (Fe) chelators for clinical use was based upon the need for a drug to treat Fe-overload diseases such as beta-thalassemia. However, it has become clear that Fe chelators may be useful for the treatment of a wide variety of disease states, including cancer, malaria, and free radical mediated injury. In particular, over the last 10 years a number of studies have shown that Fe chelators may be of use in the treatment of a number of aggressive human cancers, including neuroblastoma and leukemia, and several clinical trials have substantiated their potential. In the current review the role of Fe in cellular proliferation will be discussed, followed by the possible sites and mechanism of action of some of the most effective ligands. Attention will then be turned to examine the Fe chelators shown to possess antiproliferative activity and the clinical trials performed to assess their efficacy.