sodium cantharidate

Sodium cantharidate is a derivative of the terpenoid toxin cantharidin, originally derived from blister beetles. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine and investigated for its antitumor properties. Sodium cantharidate is primarily studied as an adjunct therapy in cancer treatment, particularly for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and primary liver cancer, where it may improve objective response rates and quality of life when combined with chemotherapy or other agents[2][1][4]. Its mechanism of action involves targeting rapidly proliferating cells such as cancer cells, potentially through inhibition of protein phosphatase activity or suppression of STAT3 signaling pathways[6][3]. The drug is not approved by the FDA for systemic use but has been widely used in clinical practice in China.

Brand names

斑蝥酸钠维生素B6注射液斑蝥酸钠片斑蝥酸钠注射液

Other names

sodium cantharidinatedisodium cantharidinate