Therapeutic potential of tranilast, an anti-allergy drug, in proliferative disorders.

Tranilast (N-[3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl]-anthranilic acid; Rizaben (R)) is an anti-allergy drug approved for use in Japan and South Korea, also used against asthma, autoimmune diseases, and atopic and fibrotic pathologies. The antitumor potential of tranilast is attracting considerable interest. This review summarizes recent evidence concerning the effect of tranilast on different tumor types and discusses the drug's possible mode of action in this area. In vivo and in vitro studies are covered, as well as evidence from clinical trials, in which tranilast was evaluated in various models of proliferative disorders. The findings presented in this report, demonstrate the excellent potential of tranilast in the management of certain types of tumor, and provide a strong rationale for the initiation of controlled clinical trials in this area.