Dp44mT, a effective iron chelator, has selective antitumor activity.

在MDA-MB-231细胞中，Dp44mT选择性地靶向拓扑异构酶topo2α，造成DNA损伤。Dp44mT对SK-N-MC、SK-Mel-28和MCF-7细胞表现出显著的抗增殖效果，其IC50分别为30 nM、60 nM和60 nM，而对正常的MRC-5成纤维细胞无影响。在SK-N-MC神经上皮瘤和M109细胞中，Dp44mT抑制了细胞从Fe-Tf的铁摄取，并诱导细胞凋亡。作为Pgp底物的Dp44mT，还通过劫持溶酶体P糖蛋白（Pgp）克服了多药耐药性。

Dp44mT（0.4 mg/kg，静脉注射）通过剂量依赖方式抑制CD2F1小鼠体内植入的M109肿瘤。

SK-N-MC, SK-Mel-28, MCF-7 and MRC-5 cells are incubated in the presence and absence of DFO, 311, 3-aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone, doxorubicin, and the DpT series of chelators (0-25 μM) for 72 hours at 37°C. The effect of the chelators on proliferation is examined using the MTT assay.

CD2F1 mice that are implanted M109 tumors intravenous inject Dp44mT (dissolved in Propylene glycol) 4 mg/kg in twice daily.