NCIt definition : A pyrazolinone derivative with potential antimetastatic activities. Nafazatrom, originally
developed as an antithrombotic agent, inhibits the key prostaglandin catabolic enzyme,
15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase, which prolongs the biological half-life of
prostacyclin (prostaglandin I2; PGI2) and prevents intravascular coagulation. This
agent also serves as a reducing cofactor with the hydroperoxidase moiety of cyclooxygenase
and accelerates the conversion of arachidonic acid into precursors of PGI2. An elevated
level of PGI2 prevents aggregation of platelets; subsequently it decreases the formation
of tumor cell-platelet aggregates as well as their sequestration in blood vessels,
which is an important initiating step in the development of metastasis.;