dithiazanine

Dithiazanine, typically administered as dithiazanine iodide, is a cyanine dye that was historically used as a broad-spectrum anthelmintic agent for treating intestinal nematode infections such as strongyloidiasis, trichuriasis, and ascariasis. Although it was FDA-approved and marketed under brand names like Delvex, it was largely withdrawn from the market due to significant gastrointestinal toxicity and rare fatal reactions. Recently, dithiazanine has been investigated as a repurposed therapeutic for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Research indicates that it potently inhibits the proliferation and self-renewal of brain cancer stem cells (BCSCs), which are often responsible for tumor recurrence and therapy resistance. To mitigate systemic toxicity and improve intracranial delivery, researchers have developed brain-penetrating polymeric nanoparticles loaded with dithiazanine iodide for administration via convection-enhanced delivery (CED).

Brand names

DelvexAbminthic

Other names

dithiazanine iodide3-ethyl-2-[5-(3-ethyl-2-benzothiazolinylidene)-1,3-pentadienyl]benzothiazolium iodide