Motexafin gadolinium (proposed tradename Xcytrin) is an inhibitor of

thioredoxin reductase Thioredoxin reductases (TR, TrxR) () are enzymes that reduce thioredoxin (Trx). Two classes of thioredoxin reductase have been identified: one class in bacteria and some eukaryotes and one in animals. In bacteria TrxR also catalyzes the reduction ...

and ribonucleotide reductase. It has been proposed as a possible

chemotherapeutic agent This is a list of chemotherapeutic agents, also known as cytotoxic agents or cytostatic drugs, that are known to be of use in chemotherapy for cancer. This list is organized by type of agent, although the subsections are not necessarily definitive ...

in the treatment of

brain metastases A brain metastasis is a cancer that has metastasized (spread) to the brain from another location in the body and is therefore considered a secondary brain tumor. The metastasis typically shares a cancer cell type with the original site of the ...

History

On May 9, 2006, a New Drug Application was submitted to the

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(FDA) by Pharmacyclics, Inc. In December 2007, the FDA issued a not approvable letter for motexafin gadolinium. Pharmacyclics, Inc. press release - Pharmacyclics Receives Non-Approvable Letter from the FDA for Xcytrin for the Treatment of Lung Cancer Brain Metastases
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References

Organogadolinium compounds {{biochemistry-stub