Novel Mechanism of Cathepsin B Inhibition by Antibiotic Nitroxoline and Related Compounds

A new trick for an old dog! Aberrant cathepsin B activity is associated with tumor progression, however, despite extensive research, there are no cathepsin B inhibitors in clinical use. Here, nitroxoline, an established antimicrobial agent, is identified as a potent, reversible inhibitor of cathepsin B, and is thus a potential drug candidate for the treatment of cancer and other diseases in which cathepsin B activity plays a role.