Kunitz trypsin inhibitor

Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI) is a protein purified from soybean trypsin inhibitor. It has been investigated as a dietary supplement for its suppressing effects on metastasis. In mouse models, dietary supplementation with KTI significantly inhibited the formation of lung metastasis and reduced total tumor burden in peritoneal disseminated metastasis. Its mechanism of action involves reducing the expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) protein and inhibiting the phosphorylation of MAP kinase and PI3 kinase proteins, which are involved in tumor cell intravasation and overall tumor burden reduction.