Nitroxyl (HNO): A Possible Strategy for Fighting Cancer

Nitroxyl (HNO), the one electron reduced form of nitric oxide (NO), shows a very distinct chemistry and biology from that of NO. Chemical profile is characterized by reactions with thiols and thiol proteins such as aldehyde dehydrogenase, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, caspases among others. Biological profile of HNO includes cardioprotective actions especially in cases of heart failure. This short review focuses on the cytotoxic properties for HNO. Nitroxyl was found to be toxic to several cancer cell lines including lung and breast cancers. Critical thiols that control cancer cellular functions might be the target for HNO activity. The anti-tumor actions of HNO donating aspirin is also summarized.