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Annals of Surgical Oncology
Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology 4/2010

01-04-2010 | Medical Oncology

The Evolving Role of Taurolidine in Cancer Therapy

Authors: Peter M. Neary, MB, Patrick Hallihan, MB, Jiang H. Wang, PhD, Rolf W. Pfirrmann, PhD, David J. Bouchier-Hayes, FRCS, Henry P. Redmond, FRCSI

Published in: Annals of Surgical Oncology | Issue 4/2010

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Abstract

Background and Design

Taurolidine consists of two taurinamide rings derived from the naturally occurring amino acid taurine. It has been utilized to prevent adhesions, as an antimicrobial, and as an anti-inflammatory agent. More recently, it has been found to exert antineoplastic activity. We reviewed the literature regarding taurolidine and its role in cancer treatment.

Results and Conclusion

Taurolidine induces cancer cell death through a variety of mechanisms. Even now, all the antineoplastic pathways it employs are not completely elucidated. It has been shown to enhance apoptosis, inhibit angiogenesis, reduce tumor adherence, downregulate proinflammatory cytokine release, and stimulate anticancer immune regulation following surgical trauma. Apoptosis is activated through both a mitochondrial cytochrome-c-dependent mechanism and an extrinsic direct pathway. A lot of in vitro and animal data support taurolidine’s tumoricidal action. Taurolidine has been used as an antimicrobial agent in the clinical setting since the 1970s and thus far appears nontoxic. The nontoxic nature of taurolidine makes it a favorable option compared with current chemotherapeutic regimens. Few published clinical studies exist evaluating the role of taurolidine as a chemotherapeutic agent. The literature lacks a gold-standard level 1 randomized clinical trial to evaluate taurolidine’s potential antineoplastic benefits. However, these trials are currently underway. Such randomized control studies are vital to clarify the role of taurolidine in modern cancer treatment.
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Metadata
Title
The Evolving Role of Taurolidine in Cancer Therapy
Authors
Peter M. Neary, MB
Patrick Hallihan, MB
Jiang H. Wang, PhD
Rolf W. Pfirrmann, PhD
David J. Bouchier-Hayes, FRCS
Henry P. Redmond, FRCSI
Publication date
01-04-2010
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Annals of Surgical Oncology / Issue 4/2010
Print ISSN: 1068-9265
Electronic ISSN: 1534-4681
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-009-0867-9

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