Screening the use of DCA for the treatment of cancer in adult patients: a scoping review protocol

Sodium dichloroacetate (DCA), a small-molecular-weight drug, is capable to shift the tumor metabolism by reactivating the oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria. As a consequence, apoptosis resistance in cancer cells decreased. Numerous studies have been performed in cell lines and animal models, to unveil its efficacy as an antitumor drug. It is also being studied in patients with different types of tumors, with a variety of doses and administration schedules. Even so, the lack of controlled studies makes the safety profile a concern. This scoping review aims to explore the existing scientific literature to provide an overview of the use of DCA (any dose, frequency, or route of administration) in adults with cancer. The search will be performed in MEDLINE/PubMed, and LILACS databases. Additional data sources will be consulted. Two reviewers will screen all identified records for relevance, and chart the data using a data charting form. Findings will be reported according to PRISMA for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). No quality assessment will be performed.