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The Evolving Role of Taurolidine in Cancer Therapy

  • Medical Oncology
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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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Acknowledgement

Conflict of Interest

We are currently engaged in a sponsored clinical trial using taurolidine.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Academic Surgery, University College Cork, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland

    Peter M. Neary MB, Patrick Hallihan MB, Jiang H. Wang PhD & Henry P. Redmond FRCSI

  2. Weggis, Lucerne, Switzerland

    Rolf W. Pfirrmann PhD

  3. Department of Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

    David J. Bouchier-Hayes FRCS

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  1. Peter M. Neary MB
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  2. Patrick Hallihan MB
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Neary, P.M., Hallihan, P., Wang, J.H. et al. The Evolving Role of Taurolidine in Cancer Therapy. Ann Surg Oncol 17, 1135–1143 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-009-0867-9

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