LTX-401 is a novel oncolytic amino acid derivative that specifically targets the Golgi apparatus, demonstrating significant potential in cancer therapy. In vitro studies reveal that LTX-401 effectively reduces the viability of various tumor cell lines, exhibiting cytotoxic activity across a range of concentrations. Notably, it shows the highest potency against the human malignant melanoma cell line MDA-MB-435S (IC50 = 13.5 μM) and the lowest activity against the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HEPG2 (IC50 = 35.4 μM). For other cell lines, the IC50 values fall within a narrow range of 19-32 μM. Importantly, LTX-401 does not induce hemolysis in red blood cells at concentrations effective for cancer cell death, with hemolytic activity only observed at much higher concentrations (400 μg/mL = 1087 μM). Additionally, LTX-401 demonstrates cytotoxicity against non-malignant cell lines, including HUV-EC-C endothelial cells, HaCat keratinocytes, and MRC-5 fibroblasts, suggesting a broad but selective mechanism of action.
