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 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-occuring non-protein amino acid, and to obtain a chemotherapetic agent of clinical value in treating human carcinomas.