L-Canavanine: A Potential Chemotherapeutic Agent for Human Pancreatic Cancer

Abstract

L-Canavanine, the principal nonprotein amino acid of certain leguminous plants, is a potent L-arginine antimetabolite. This natural product has demonstrative antineoplastic activity against a number of human cancers. Recent studies with MIAPaCa-2 and CFPAC have established canavanine’s potential anticancer activity against these human pancreatic adenocarcinomas. Canavanine has promise as a lead compound in the development of a chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of human pancreatic carcinoma, but it has not been adequately investigated. Greater study of canavanine and its derivatives is needed to fully realize the experimental and therapeutic value of this naturally-occurring non-protein amino acid, and to obtain a chemotherapeutic agent of clinical value in treating human carcinomas.