NCIt definition : A sulfonamide derivate and carbonic anhydrase inhibitor with potential antineoplastic
activity. Methazolamide inhibits tumor-associated carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX), which
may result in increased cell death in hypoxic tumors. As a hypoxia-inducible transmembrane
glycoprotein, CAIX catalyzes the rapid interconversion of carbon dioxide and water
into carbonic acid, protons, and bicarbonate ions, helping to maintain acidification
of the tumor microenvironment and enhance resistance to cytotoxic therapy in some
hypoxic tumors.;