Beta-Lapachone (ARQ-501)

Description: Beta-Lapachone (also known as ARQ-501; NSC 26326; ARQ501; NSC-26326) is a novel, naturally occurring, potent and selective DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor with potential antineoplastic activity. It exhibits no inhibitory activities against DNA topoisomerase II or ligase. Beta-Lapachone is a naphthoquinone compound extracted from bark of Tabebuia sp., with antitumor, antibacterial, antifungal and antitrypanosomal activities. Beta-lapachone exerts its anti-tumor effect by indirect actions of inducing p53-independent apoptosis and cell cycle arrest mediated through altered activities of cell cycle control regulatory proteins.

References: J Biol Chem. 1993 Oct 25; 268(30):22463-8; Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1999 Nov 9; 96(23):13369-74.