NCIt definition : An aromatic fatty acid metabolite of phenylalanine with potential antineoplastic activity.
Naturally occurring in mammals, phenylacetate induces differentiation, growth inhibition,
and apoptosis in tumor cells. Implicated mechanisms of action include decreased protein
prenylation, activation of the peroxisome proliferation-activated receptors, inhibition
of DNA methylation, and depletion of glutamine. (NCI04);
Alternative definition : NCI-GLOSS: A drug being studied in the treatment of cancer.;