(±)-Norcantharidin (Endothall anhydride) is a synthetic anticancer compound which is a dual inhibitor for c-Met and EGFR in human colon cancers.

NCTD可能是一种实惠且有效的候选化合物，以替代gefitinib来满足癌症患者的治疗需求[1]。通过诱导凋亡和阻断细胞周期，NCTD在体内抑制裸鼠人类胆囊癌异种移植瘤的生长[2]。

Two human colon cancer cell lines, HCT116 and HT29, were used as model systems to investigate the anti-cancer molecular mechanism of NCTD. Cell cycle arrest and early/late apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. The levels of EGFR, phospho-EGFR, c-Met, phospho-c-Met and other related proteins were quantified by western blot analysis[1]

The tumor xenograft model of human gallbladder carcinoma in nude mice in vivo was established with subcutaneous GBC-SD cells. The experimental mice were randomly divided into control, 5-FU, NCTD, and NCTD+5-FU groups which were given different treatments. Tumor growth in terms of size, growth curve, and inhibitory rate was evaluated. Cell cycle, apoptosis, and morphological changes of the xenografted tumors were assessed by flow cytometry and light/electron microscopy. The expression of the cell cycle-related proteins cyclin-D1 and p27 as well as the apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2, Bax, and survivin were determined by the streptavidin-biotin complex (SABC) method and RT-PCR[2].