Identification
- Summary
Gallium nitrate is a medication indicated for cancer-related hypercalcemia.
- Brand Names
- Ganite
- Generic Name
- Gallium nitrate
- DrugBank Accession Number
- DB05260
- Background
Gallium nitrate is a drug that is used to treat hypercalcemia, or too much calcium in the blood. This condition may occur secondary to certain types of cancer. Gallium nitrate is also known by the common brand name Ganite.
- Type
- Small Molecule
- Groups
- Approved, Investigational
- Structure
- Weight
- Average: 255.738
Monoisotopic: 254.889034525 - Chemical Formula
- GaN3O9
- Synonyms
- Gallium nitrate (anhydrous)
- Nitric acid, gallium salt, anhydrate
Pharmacology
- Indication
For the treatment of hypercalcemia. Also intended for the treatment of non-hodgkin's lymphoma.
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- Contraindications & Blackbox Warnings
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- Pharmacodynamics
Gallium nitrate exerts hypocalcemic effect by inhibiting calcium resorption from bone, possibly by stabilizing bone matrix, thereby reducing increased bone turnover. Gallium nitrate inhibits the growth of various lymphoma cell lines in vitro and exhibits antitumor activity in patients with lymphoma. The mechanism(s) of cytotoxicity is (are) only partly understood but appears to involve a two-step process: (1) targeting of gallium to cells, and (2) acting on multiple, specific intracellular processes. Gallium shares certain chemical properties with iron; therefore, it binds avidly to the iron transport protein transferrin. Transferrin-gallium complexes preferentially target cells that express transferrin receptors on their surface. Expression of transferrin receptors is particularly high on lymphoma cells. Cellular uptake of the gallium-transferrin complex leads to inhibition of cellular proliferation primarily via disruption of iron transport and homeostasis and blockade of ribonucleotide reductase. Recent studies have shown that cellular uptake of gallium leads to activation of caspases and induction of apoptosis. In phase II trials in patients with relapsed or refractory lymphoma, the antitumor activity of gallium nitrate is similar to, or better than, that of other commonly used chemotherapeutic agents.
- Mechanism of action
Gallium nitrate is believed to exert a hypocalcemic effect by inhibiting calcium resorption from bone. Gallium nitrate localizes preferentially where bone resorption and remodeling is occurring, and inhibits osteoclast activity. Inhibition of resorption may occur via a reduction in increased bone turnover. It seems to enhance hydroxyapatite function, inhibit osteocalcin, and inhibit the vacuolar ATPase on the osteoclast ruffled membrane. All these aid in the reduction of bone resorption.
Target Actions Organism ARibonucleoside-diphosphate reductase subunit M2 inhibitorHumans AV-type proton ATPase subunit B, brain isoform inhibitorHumans AOsteocalcin antagonistHumans AHydroxylapatite modulatorHumans AInterleukin-1 beta antagonistHumans UProtein-tyrosine-phosphatase inhibitorShewanella sp. - Absorption
Not Available
- Volume of distribution
Not Available
- Protein binding
Not Available
- Metabolism
- Not Available
- Route of elimination
Gallium nitrate is not metabolized either by the liver or the kidney and appears to be significantly excreted via the kidney.
- Half-life
Alpha: 1 hour. Beta: 24 hours, but lengthens to 72 to 115 hours with prolonged intravenous infusion.
- Clearance
- 0.15 L/hr/kg [cancer patients receiving daily infusion of gallium nitrate at a dose of 200 mg/m2 for 5 or 7 days]
- Adverse Effects
- Improve decision support & research outcomesWith structured adverse effects data, including: blackbox warnings, adverse reactions, warning & precautions, & incidence rates.Improve decision support & research outcomes with our structured adverse effects data.
- Toxicity
Not Available
- Pathways
- Not Available
- Pharmacogenomic Effects/ADRs
- Not Available
Interactions
- Drug Interactions
- This information should not be interpreted without the help of a healthcare provider. If you believe you are experiencing an interaction, contact a healthcare provider immediately. The absence of an interaction does not necessarily mean no interactions exist.
Drug Interaction Integrate drug-drug
interactions in your softwareAbatacept The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Abatacept is combined with Gallium nitrate. Adalimumab The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Adalimumab is combined with Gallium nitrate. Adenovirus type 7 vaccine live The risk or severity of infection can be increased when Adenovirus type 7 vaccine live is combined with Gallium nitrate. Aldesleukin The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Aldesleukin is combined with Gallium nitrate. Alefacept The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Alefacept is combined with Gallium nitrate. Alemtuzumab The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Alemtuzumab is combined with Gallium nitrate. Allogeneic processed thymus tissue The therapeutic efficacy of Allogeneic processed thymus tissue can be decreased when used in combination with Gallium nitrate. Altretamine The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Altretamine is combined with Gallium nitrate. Amsacrine The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Amsacrine is combined with Gallium nitrate. Anakinra The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Anakinra is combined with Gallium nitrate. Identify potential medication risksEasily compare up to 40 drugs with our drug interaction checker.Get severity rating, description, and management advice.Learn more - Food Interactions
- No interactions found.
Products
- Drug product information from 10+ global regionsOur datasets provide approved product information including:dosage, form, labeller, route of administration, and marketing period.Access drug product information from over 10 global regions.
- Product Ingredients
Ingredient UNII CAS InChI Key Gallium nitrate nonahydrate VRA0C6810N 135886-70-3 VALBLFFHYPYRDR-UHFFFAOYSA-N - Active Moieties
Name Kind UNII CAS InChI Key Gallium cation ionic F7K5MP217W 22537-33-3 CKHJYUSOUQDYEN-UHFFFAOYSA-N - Brand Name Prescription Products
Name Dosage Strength Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image Ganite Injection, solution, concentrate 25 mg/1mL Intravenous Genta Incorporated 2003-09-17 Not applicable US
Categories
- Drug Categories
- Chemical TaxonomyProvided by Classyfire
- Description
- This compound belongs to the class of inorganic compounds known as post-transition metal nitrates. These are inorganic compounds in which the largest oxoanion is nitrate, and in which the heaviest atom not in an oxoanion is a post-transition metal.
- Kingdom
- Inorganic compounds
- Super Class
- Mixed metal/non-metal compounds
- Class
- Post-transition metal oxoanionic compounds
- Sub Class
- Post-transition metal nitrates
- Direct Parent
- Post-transition metal nitrates
- Alternative Parents
- Post-transition metal salts / Inorganic salts / Inorganic oxides
- Substituents
- Inorganic oxide / Inorganic post-transition metal salt / Inorganic salt / Post-transition metal nitrate
- Molecular Framework
- Not Available
- External Descriptors
- Not Available
- Affected organisms
- Humans and other mammals
Chemical Identifiers
- UNII
- Y2V2R4W9TQ
- CAS number
- 13494-90-1
- InChI Key
- CHPZKNULDCNCBW-UHFFFAOYSA-N
- InChI
- InChI=1S/Ga.3NO3/c;3*2-1(3)4/q+3;3*-1
- IUPAC Name
- gallium(3+) trinitrate
- SMILES
- [Ga+3].[O-][N+]([O-])=O.[O-][N+]([O-])=O.[O-][N+]([O-])=O
References
- General References
- Yang M, Kroft SH, Chitambar CR: Gene expression analysis of gallium-resistant and gallium-sensitive lymphoma cells reveals a role for metal-responsive transcription factor-1, metallothionein-2A, and zinc transporter-1 in modulating the antineoplastic activity of gallium nitrate. Mol Cancer Ther. 2007 Feb;6(2):633-43. [Article]
- Leyland-Jones B: Treating cancer-related hypercalcemia with gallium nitrate. J Support Oncol. 2004 Nov-Dec;2(6):509-16. [Article]
- Chitambar CR: Apoptotic mechanisms of gallium nitrate: basic and clinical investigations. Oncology (Williston Park). 2004 Nov;18(13 Suppl 10):39-44. [Article]
- Cvitkovic F, Armand JP, Tubiana-Hulin M, Rossi JF, Warrell RP Jr: Randomized, double-blind, phase II trial of gallium nitrate compared with pamidronate for acute control of cancer-related hypercalcemia. Cancer J. 2006 Jan-Feb;12(1):47-53. [Article]
- External Links
- Human Metabolome Database
- HMDB0015612
- PubChem Compound
- 61635
- PubChem Substance
- 46508923
- ChemSpider
- 55543
- 25544
- ChEMBL
- CHEMBL1200983
- Therapeutic Targets Database
- DAP001096
- PharmGKB
- PA164781198
- Drugs.com
- Drugs.com Drug Page
- Wikipedia
- Gallium_nitrate
- MSDS
- Download (8.19 KB)
Clinical Trials
- Clinical Trials
Phase Status Purpose Conditions Count 2 Completed Treatment Cystic Fibrosis (CF) 1 2 Completed Treatment Low Grade Lymphoma / Lymphoma, Intermediate-Grade / Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) / Refractory Lymphomas / Relapsed Lymphomas 1 2 Completed Treatment Lymphoma 1 1 Completed Other Cystic Fibrosis (CF) 1 1 Completed Treatment Brain and Central Nervous System Tumors / Lymphoma / Neuroblastoma (NB) / Sarcomas / Unspecified Childhood Solid Tumor, Protocol Specific 1 1 Recruiting Treatment Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous 1
Pharmacoeconomics
- Manufacturers
- Not Available
- Packagers
- Not Available
- Dosage Forms
Form Route Strength Injection, solution, concentrate Intravenous 25 mg/1mL - Prices
- Not Available
- Patents
- Not Available
Properties
- State
- Solid
- Experimental Properties
- Not Available
- Predicted Properties
Property Value Source logP -2.6 Chemaxon pKa (Strongest Basic) -9.9 Chemaxon Physiological Charge -1 Chemaxon Hydrogen Acceptor Count 3 Chemaxon Hydrogen Donor Count 0 Chemaxon Polar Surface Area 66.2 Å2 Chemaxon Rotatable Bond Count 0 Chemaxon Refractivity 8.35 m3·mol-1 Chemaxon Polarizability 3.28 Å3 Chemaxon Number of Rings 0 Chemaxon Bioavailability 1 Chemaxon Rule of Five Yes Chemaxon Ghose Filter No Chemaxon Veber's Rule No Chemaxon MDDR-like Rule No Chemaxon - Predicted ADMET Features
Property Value Probability Human Intestinal Absorption + 0.7952 Blood Brain Barrier + 0.9337 Caco-2 permeable - 0.5678 P-glycoprotein substrate Non-substrate 0.8817 P-glycoprotein inhibitor I Non-inhibitor 0.927 P-glycoprotein inhibitor II Non-inhibitor 0.984 Renal organic cation transporter Non-inhibitor 0.9378 CYP450 2C9 substrate Non-substrate 0.8511 CYP450 2D6 substrate Non-substrate 0.8463 CYP450 3A4 substrate Non-substrate 0.6475 CYP450 1A2 substrate Non-inhibitor 0.7481 CYP450 2C9 inhibitor Non-inhibitor 0.8894 CYP450 2D6 inhibitor Non-inhibitor 0.9223 CYP450 2C19 inhibitor Non-inhibitor 0.8364 CYP450 3A4 inhibitor Non-inhibitor 0.928 CYP450 inhibitory promiscuity Low CYP Inhibitory Promiscuity 0.9678 Ames test AMES toxic 0.6249 Carcinogenicity Carcinogens 0.7056 Biodegradation Ready biodegradable 0.9392 Rat acute toxicity 2.6296 LD50, mol/kg Not applicable hERG inhibition (predictor I) Weak inhibitor 0.6413 hERG inhibition (predictor II) Non-inhibitor 0.9681
Spectra
- Mass Spec (NIST)
- Not Available
- Spectra
- Not Available
Targets

- Kind
- Protein
- Organism
- Humans
- Pharmacological action
- Yes
- Actions
- Inhibitor
- General Function
- Ribonucleoside-diphosphate reductase activity, thioredoxin disulfide as acceptor
- Specific Function
- Provides the precursors necessary for DNA synthesis. Catalyzes the biosynthesis of deoxyribonucleotides from the corresponding ribonucleotides. Inhibits Wnt signaling.
- Gene Name
- RRM2
- Uniprot ID
- P31350
- Uniprot Name
- Ribonucleoside-diphosphate reductase subunit M2
- Molecular Weight
- 44877.25 Da
References
- Chitambar CR: Apoptotic mechanisms of gallium nitrate: basic and clinical investigations. Oncology (Williston Park). 2004 Nov;18(13 Suppl 10):39-44. [Article]
- Narasimhan J, Antholine WE, Chitambar CR: Effect of gallium on the tyrosyl radical of the iron-dependent M2 subunit of ribonucleotide reductase. Biochem Pharmacol. 1992 Dec 15;44(12):2403-8. [Article]
- Straus DJ: Gallium nitrate in the treatment of lymphoma. Semin Oncol. 2003 Apr;30(2 Suppl 5):25-33. [Article]
- Kind
- Protein
- Organism
- Humans
- Pharmacological action
- Yes
- Actions
- Inhibitor
- General Function
- Proton-transporting atpase activity, rotational mechanism
- Specific Function
- Non-catalytic subunit of the peripheral V1 complex of vacuolar ATPase. V-ATPase is responsible for acidifying a variety of intracellular compartments in eukaryotic cells.
- Gene Name
- ATP6V1B2
- Uniprot ID
- P21281
- Uniprot Name
- V-type proton ATPase subunit B, brain isoform
- Molecular Weight
- 56500.21 Da
References
- Bockman R: The effects of gallium nitrate on bone resorption. Semin Oncol. 2003 Apr;30(2 Suppl 5):5-12. [Article]
- Mattsson JP, Skyman C, Palokangas H, Vaananen KH, Keeling DJ: Characterization and cellular distribution of the osteoclast ruffled membrane vacuolar H+-ATPase B-subunit using isoform-specific antibodies. J Bone Miner Res. 1997 May;12(5):753-60. [Article]
- Jakupec MA, Keppler BK: Gallium and other main group metal compounds as antitumor agents. Met Ions Biol Syst. 2004;42:425-62. [Article]
- Kind
- Protein
- Organism
- Humans
- Pharmacological action
- Yes
- Actions
- Antagonist
- General Function
- Structural molecule activity
- Specific Function
- Constitutes 1-2% of the total bone protein. It binds strongly to apatite and calcium.
- Gene Name
- BGLAP
- Uniprot ID
- P02818
- Uniprot Name
- Osteocalcin
- Molecular Weight
- 10962.445 Da
References
- Jenis LG, Waud CE, Stein GS, Lian JB, Baran DT: Effect of gallium nitrate in vitro and in normal rats. J Cell Biochem. 1993 Jul;52(3):330-6. [Article]
- Guidon PT Jr, Salvatori R, Bockman RS: Gallium nitrate regulates rat osteoblast expression of osteocalcin protein and mRNA levels. J Bone Miner Res. 1993 Jan;8(1):103-12. [Article]
References
- Bockman R: The effects of gallium nitrate on bone resorption. Semin Oncol. 2003 Apr;30(2 Suppl 5):5-12. [Article]
- Kind
- Protein
- Organism
- Humans
- Pharmacological action
- Yes
- Actions
- Antagonist
- General Function
- Protein domain specific binding
- Specific Function
- Potent proinflammatory cytokine. Initially discovered as the major endogenous pyrogen, induces prostaglandin synthesis, neutrophil influx and activation, T-cell activation and cytokine production, ...
- Gene Name
- IL1B
- Uniprot ID
- P01584
- Uniprot Name
- Interleukin-1 beta
- Molecular Weight
- 30747.7 Da
References
- Eby G: Elimination of arthritis pain and inflammation for over 2 years with a single 90 min, topical 14% gallium nitrate treatment: case reports and review of actions of gallium III. Med Hypotheses. 2005;65(6):1136-41. Epub 2005 Aug 24. [Article]
- Kind
- Protein
- Organism
- Shewanella sp.
- Pharmacological action
- Unknown
- Actions
- Inhibitor
- General Function
- Protein tyrosine phosphatase activity
- Specific Function
- Not Available
- Gene Name
- PPI
- Uniprot ID
- Q9S427
- Uniprot Name
- Protein-tyrosine-phosphatase
- Molecular Weight
- 40814.26 Da
References
- Chitambar CR: Apoptotic mechanisms of gallium nitrate: basic and clinical investigations. Oncology (Williston Park). 2004 Nov;18(13 Suppl 10):39-44. [Article]
- Berggren MM, Burns LA, Abraham RT, Powis G: Inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatase by the antitumor agent gallium nitrate. Cancer Res. 1993 Apr 15;53(8):1862-6. [Article]
- Straus DJ: Gallium nitrate in the treatment of lymphoma. Semin Oncol. 2003 Apr;30(2 Suppl 5):25-33. [Article]
Carriers
- Kind
- Protein
- Organism
- Humans
- Pharmacological action
- Unknown
- Actions
- Binder
- General Function
- Transferrin receptor binding
- Specific Function
- Transferrins are iron binding transport proteins which can bind two Fe(3+) ions in association with the binding of an anion, usually bicarbonate. It is responsible for the transport of iron from si...
- Gene Name
- TF
- Uniprot ID
- P02787
- Uniprot Name
- Serotransferrin
- Molecular Weight
- 77063.195 Da
References
- Groessl M, Bytzek A, Hartinger CG: The serum protein binding of pharmacologically active gallium(III) compounds assessed by hyphenated CE-MS techniques. Electrophoresis. 2009 Aug;30(15):2720-7. doi: 10.1002/elps.200800745. [Article]
- Bernstein LR, Tanner T, Godfrey C, Noll B: Chemistry and pharmacokinetics of gallium maltolate, a compound with high oral gallium bioavailability. Met Based Drugs. 2000;7(1):33-47. doi: 10.1155/MBD.2000.33. [Article]
- Davies NP, Suryo Rahmanto Y, Chitambar CR, Richardson DR: Resistance to the antineoplastic agent gallium nitrate results in marked alterations in intracellular iron and gallium trafficking: identification of novel intermediates. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2006 Apr;317(1):153-62. Epub 2005 Dec 22. [Article]
- Chitambar CR: Apoptotic mechanisms of gallium nitrate: basic and clinical investigations. Oncology (Williston Park). 2004 Nov;18(13 Suppl 10):39-44. [Article]
Drug created at November 18, 2007 18:22 / Updated at September 15, 2022 03:13