Edelfosine

Edelfosine (ET-18-O-CH3 ; 1-octadecyl-2-O-methyl-glycero-3-phosphocholine) is a synthetic alkyl-lysophospholipid (ALP). It has antineoplastic (anti-cancer) effects.

Like all ALPs, it incorporates into the cell membrane and does not target the DNA. In many tumor cells, it causes selective apoptosis, sparing healthy cells. Edelfosine can activate the Fas/CD95 cell death receptor, can inhibit the MAPK/ERK mitogenic pathway and the Akt/protein kinase B (PKB) survival pathway. Aside from these plasma-level effects, edelfosine also affects gene expression by modulating the expression and activity of transcription factors.