ITPP (Myo-lnositol trispyrophosphate) is a natural phosphosugar derivative – well known for its ability to trigger the dissociation of molecular oxygen from haemoglobin.

Experimental studies support ITPP as effective at releasing oxygen into hypoxic tissue. ITPP is identified as an anti-hypoxia compound by promoting oxygen availability for radiotherapy and normalization of tumour vasculature function for improving chemotherapy penetration.

A recent safety, tolerability and dose finding clinical study reports ITPP is well tolerated – Phase Ib dose-escalation study of the hypoxia-modifier Myo-inositol trispyrophosphate in patients with hepatopancreatobiliary tumors.

The report also provides preliminary positive impact data supportive of ITPP effects on vessel normalization and hypoxia regulated target genes in advanced primary hepatopancreatobiliary malignancies and liver metastases of colorectal cancer.

The authors conclude that ITPP is well tolerated and ITPP monotherapy seems to exert antiangiogenic activity that might translate into improved responses towards conventional chemotherapy.