Trimidox (Synonyms: VF 233)

Trimidox (3.4.5-tri-hydroxybenzohydroxamidoxime) is a specific and patented ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) inhibitor [1].

Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), also known as ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase, is an enzyme involved in catalyzing the formation of deoxyribonucleotides from ribonucleotides. RNR plays a vital role in regulating the total rate of DNA synthesis to DNA to maintain DNA cell mass a constant ratio during cell division and DNA repair. The substrates for RNR are ADP, GDP, CDP and UDP [2]. Increased ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) activity has been associated with malignant transformation and tumor cell growth [1].

In human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells, trimidox inhibited the growth of with an IC50 of 35 pmol/L. Treatment with trimidox (50 pmol/L) for 24 hours decreased deoxyguanosine triphosphate (dGTP) and deoxycytidine triphosphate (dCTP) pools to 24% and 3946 of control values, respectively. Incubation of HL-60 cells with 20 to 80 pmol/L trimidox to 4 days showed no effects in the distribution of cells indifferent phases of cell cycle [1]. Trimidox in combination with tiazofurin was useful in the treatment of leukemia [1].

References:
[1] Szekeres T, Fritzer M, Strobl H, et al.  Synergistic growth inhibitory and differentiating effects of trimidox and tiazofurin in human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells[J]. Blood, 1994, 84(12): 4316-4321.
[2] Elledge S J, Zhou Z, Allen J B.  Ribonucleotide reductase: regulation, regulation, regulation[J]. Trends in biochemical sciences, 1992, 17(3): 119-123.