Dichloroacetic Acid

Dichloroacetic acid, often abbreviated DCA, is the chemical compound with formula CHCl₂COOH. It is an acid, an analogue of acetic acid, in which two of the three hydrogen atoms of the methyl group have been replaced by chlorine atoms. The salts and esters of dichloroacetic acid are called dichloroacetates. Salts of DCA have been studied as potential drugs because they inhibit the enzyme pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase.

Although preliminary studies have shown DCA can slow the growth of certain tumors in animal studies and in vitro studies, there is no evidence to support the use of DCA as a cancer treatment in humans.