What is "safingol"

n. A lyso-sphingolipid protein kinase C inhibitor.

Safingol is a lyso- sphingolipid protein kinase inhibitor. It has the molecular formula CHNO and is a colorless solid. Medicinally, safingol has demonstrated promising anticancer potential as a modulator of multi- drug resistance and as an inducer of necrosis. The administration of safingol alone has not been shown to exert a significant effect on tumor cell growth. However, preclinical and clinical studies have shown that combining safingol with conventional chemotherapy agents such as fenretinide, vinblastine, irinotecan and mitomycin C can dramatically potentiate their antitumor effects. Currently in Phase I clinical trials, it is believed to be safe to co-administer with cisplatin.