Semicarbazide-cadmium Therapy

Semicarbazide-cadmium therapy was an experimental cancer therapy that was tested in several clinical trials in the Soviet Union during the 1960s. Semicarbazide is an irreversible inhibitor of semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO), an enzyme possibly involved in exacerbation of inflammation. Cadmium is a heavy metal and can also induce apoptosis.

The first study in humans was an open pilot trial conducted in Russia in 1957-1962. It was also patented in Russia. This method was successfully used for treatment of patients in later stages of lang, intestinal, and brest cancer, melanoma, and some other cancer types. The Experiments were accompanied by organizational problems (conflict of interest).