Nitroxyl Radicals for Cancer Chemotherapy

Application of nitroxyl radicals in cancer chemotherapy is based on the hypothesis of the role of free radicals in the process of tumor development and also on the capacity of the inhibitors of radical reactions to suppress this process [1]. A systematic study of the antitumor action of nitroxyl radicals started with the discovery of the antileukemic action of low-toxic stable radicals of 4-substituted 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine oxides. These agents were found to inhibit the development of acute generalized transplanted leukemia in mice [2].