TVB-3166 is a cell-permeable pyrrazole derivative that inhibits cellular palmitate synthesis (IC50 <100 nM) by fatty acid synthase (FASN) keto-reductase activity in a potent and reversible manner (IC50 = 42 nM), effectively inhibiting palmitate-dependent survival of various cancer cells in cultures and xenografted tumor growth in mice vivo (60-100 mg/kg/d p.o.), while exhibiting little or no anti-proliferation activity toward non-palmitate-dependent growth of cancer and non-cancer cultures. FASN inhibition by TVB-3166 treatment is also effective against the replications respiratory viruses both in cultures (Effc. conc. 200 nM against RSV and PIV3 in A549, HEp2, and HeLa cultures) and in mice (50 mg/kg/12 h, p.o.; RSV) in vivo without significant adverse effects to the host cells or mice.
