Quinacrine (Mepacrine) dihydrochloride is an orally bioavailable antimalarial agent, which possess anticancer effect both in vitro and vivo. Quinacrine dihydrochloride suppresses NF-κB and activate p53 signaling, which results in the induction of the apoptosis[1].

Quinacrine (5-20 μM; 24 hours) inhibits the growth of SGC-7901 cells[1].Quinacrine (7.5 and 15 μM; 24 hours) induces apoptosis in SGC-7901 cells, which is associated with mitochondria-dependent signal pathway and involves p53 upregulation and caspase-3 activation pathway[1].Quinacrine (15 μM; 24 hours) treatment significantly increased the levels of proapoptotic proteins, including cytochrome c, Bax, and p53, and decreased the levels of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2, thus shifting the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 in favor of apoptosis [1]. Cell Viability Assay[1] Cell Line: SGC-7901 cells

Quinacrine (100 mg/kg three times per week for two consecutive weeks) significantly suppresses circulating blast cells at days 30/31 and increases the median survival time (MST). Quinacrine does not decrease the body weight of treated animals at the tested dose[2]. Animal Model: Female SCID mice with acute myeloid leukemia (AML)-PS model[2]

[1]. Xiaoyang Wu, et al. Quinacrine Inhibits Cell Growth and Induces Apoptosis in Human Gastric Cancer Cell Line SGC-7901. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2012 Feb;73(1-2):52-64. [2]. Anna Eriksson, et al. Towards repositioning of quinacrine for treatment of acute myeloid leukemia - Promising synergies and in vivo effects. Leuk Res. 2017 Dec;63:41-46.