Prostaglandin I2 (PGI2, prostacyclin) is the most potent endogenous vasodilator that affects both the systemic and pulmonary circulation.[1] Cicaprost is a PGI2 analog that is orally active with prolonged availability in vivo, having a terminal half life in plasma of one hour.[2][3] In addition to their effects on smooth muscle, PGI2 analogs, including cicaprost, have been shown to inhibit the pro-inflammatory actions of certain leukocytes, suppress cardiac fibrosis, and block mitogenesis of certain cell types.[4][5][6] Importantly, cicaprost has been shown to strongly reduce lung and lymph node metastasis in rats, suggesting that it might be useful in cancer therapy.[7]
Reference:
[1]. Moncada, S. Biology and therapeutic potential of prostacyclin. Stroke 14(2), 157-168 (1983).
[2]. Kiriyama, M., Ushikubi, F., Kobayashi, T., et al. Ligand binding specificities of the eight types and subtypes of the mouse prostanoid receptors expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Br. J. Pharmacol. 122(2), 217-224 (1997).
[3]. Hildebrand, M., Staks, T., and Nieuweboer, B. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cicaprost in healthy volunteers after oral administration of 5 to 20 micrograms. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 39(2), 149-153 (1990).
[4]. Zhou, W., Hashimoto, K., Goleniewska, K., et al. Prostaglandin I2 analogs inhibit proinflammatory cytokine production and T cell stimulatory function of dendritic cells. Journal of Immunology 178, 702-710 (2007).
[5]. Chan, E.C., Dusting, G.J., Guo, N., et al. Prostacyclin receptor suppresses cardiac fibrosis: Role of CREB phosphorylation. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology 49, 176-185 (2010).
[6]. Castagnino, P., Kothapalli, D., Hawthorne, E.A., et al. Cell-type- and cell-cycle-specific anti-mitogenesis by cicaprost. Prostaglandins & Other Lipid Mediators 93, 20-24 (2010).
[7]. Schirner, M., Kraus, C., Lichtner, R.B., et al. Tumor metastasis inhibition with the prostacyclin analogue cicaprost depends on discontinuous plasma peak levels. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids 58(40, 311-317 (1998).