1-Methyltryptophan is a chemical compound that is an inhibitor of the tryptophan catabolic enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO or INDO ). It is a chiral compound that can exist as both - and -enantiomers.
The -isomer (-1MT) inhibits IDO weakly but also serves as an enzyme substrate.
The -isomer (-1MT) does not inhibit IDO at all, but it can inhibit the IDO-related enzyme IDO2 and restore mTOR signaling in cells starved of tryptophan due to IDO activity. -1MT is also known as indoximod and it was in clinical trials for cancer treatment, such as for advanced melanoma, in 2017.IDO Inhibitors Emerging as New Players on Checkpoint Blockade Scene. Aug 2017
A U.S. patent covering salt and prodrug formulations of indoximod was issued to NewLink Genetics on August 15, 2017, providing exclusivity until at least 2036.
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