A phase I trial of scutellaria barbata (BZL101) for metastatic breast cancer

Abstract

1099 Background: BZL101 is an aqueous extract from herba Scutellaria Barbata. BZL101 demonstrates in vitro growth inhibitory effects on human breast cancer cell lines and does not inhibit the growth of normal human mammary epithelium. In a murine xenograft model, oral and intraperitoneal administration of BZL101 inhibited tumor formation without any observed toxicity. Treatment of breast cancer cells with BZL101 leads to sustained inhibition of glycolysis, as evident from the decreased enzymatic activities within the glycolytic pathway and inhibition of lactate production. Because tumor cells primarily rely on glycolysis for energy production (Warburg effect), targeting this pathway may lead to novel cytotoxic agents with less toxicity than the currently available treatments. We are conducting an open-label, dose escalation, phase I trial of BZL101 for MBC to determine the MTD. Methods: Eligible patients have histologically confirmed MBC and measurable disease. Patients can not receive any other anticance...