disulfiram + copper

Disulfiram + copper is a combination therapy under investigation primarily for cancer treatment. Disulfiram, a thiocarbamate derivative long approved for alcoholism, acts as a metal chelator and forms complexes with copper ions. When combined with copper (often as copper gluconate), the resulting complex exhibits potent anticancer activity in preclinical models and early clinical trials. The mechanism of action involves inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase, proteasome inhibition, stimulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and induction of cell death pathways selectively in cancer cells—especially those with elevated intracellular copper levels. The active metabolite diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) forms a cytotoxic complex with Cu(II), which can penetrate tumor cells and induce apoptosis via oxidative stress and other mechanisms. This combination is being repurposed for oncology indications such as glioblastoma, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, among others[1][2][3][5][6].

Other names

disulfiram/copper gluconatecopper gluconate/disulfiram