Although clotrimazole was first used against fungal infections, a body of research was later developed indicating that this drug has anticancer properties as well. The mechanism of action is based on the inhibition of mitochondrial-bound glycolytic enzymes and calmodulin, which starves cancer cells of energy. Clotrimazole and its derivatives have been shown to decrease rates of cancer cell proliferation, induce G1 phase arrest, and promote pro-apoptotic factors, which lead to cell death.
Keywords: Calmodulin; Clotrimazole; Hexokinase; Human melanoma.