Oxyphenisatin has been shown to have antiproliferative activity. Oxyphenisatin acetate (OXY, NSC 59687) is the pro-drug of oxyphenisatin. OXY inhibits the growth of the breast cancer cell lines MCF7, T47D, HS578T, and MDA-MB-468 (IC ₅₀ =0.8, 0.6, 2.1, 1.8 μM). This effect is associated with selective inhibition of translation accompanied by rapid phosphorylation of the nutrient sensing eIF2α kinases, GCN2 and PERK.

Toxicity studies demonstrate that mice tolerate IP administration of OXY at 300 mg/kg once daily or 200 mg/kg twice daily. Administration of OXY at 300 mg/kg IP once daily for 10 days results in significantly smaller tumors from day 33 to day 52.