Definition

An intrathecal (IT) formulation of deferoxamine (DFO), an iron-chelating agent that can be used to deplete free iron and lower iron levels, and with potential antineoplastic activity. Upon IT administration via Ommaya reservoir, DFO chelates free iron within the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by forming the iron complex ferrioxamine. This lowers the amount of iron available for cancer cell growth and survival. Cancer cells show increased iron uptake as iron is needed for rapid tumor cell proliferation.