DQ-Lipo

DQ-Lipo is a liposomal formulation of DQ, a carbamodithioic acid derivative designed as a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive prodrug. Developed primarily for the treatment of ARID1A-mutant ovarian clear cell cancer (OCCC), DQ-Lipo exploits the high basal ROS and low glutathione (GSH) levels characteristic of these tumor cells. Upon exposure to ROS, DQ undergoes a transformation to release dithiocarbamate (DDC) and quinone methide (QM). QM targets and depletes GSH, while DDC chelates intracellular or co-administered copper (Cu) to form Cu(DDC)2, a potent cytotoxic agent. This cascade results in a massive increase in ROS, disruption of redox homeostasis, inhibition of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and induction of immunogenic cell death (ICD), thereby suppressing tumor growth and metastasis.

Other names

Liposomal DQ