Inhibitors of the ATB(0,+) transporter and uses thereof

1. A method of treating cancer in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject in need thereof a composition comprising an inhibitor of the ATB 0,+ amino acid transporter, wherein the cancer expresses the ATB 0,+ amino acid transporter; and wherein the inhibitor of the ATB 0,+ amino acid transporter comprises alpha methyl tryptophan.

2. A method of killing a cancer cell, the method comprising contacting the cancer cell with an inhibitor of the ATB 0,+ amino acid transporter; wherein the cancer cells demonstrate increased expression of the ATB 0,+ amino acid transporter compared to normal, noncancerous cells; and wherein the inhibitor of the ATB 0,+ amino acid transporter comprises alpha methyl tryptophan.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises the L isomer of alpha methyl tryptophan and does not comprise the D isomer of alpha methyl tryptophan.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the composition comprises the L isomer of alpha methyl tryptophan and does not comprise the D isomer of alpha methyl tryptophan.

5. A method of treating cancer in a subject, the method comprising:

determining that the cancer cells demonstrate expression of the ATB 0,+ amino acid transporter; and

administering to the subject in need thereof a composition comprising an inhibitor of the ATB 0,+ amino acid transporter;

wherein the inhibitor of the ATB 0,+ amino acid transporter comprises alpha methyl tryptophan.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the composition comprises the L isomer of alpha methyl tryptophan and does not comprise the D isomer of alpha methyl tryptophan.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the cancer is selected from the group consisting of colon cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer and pancreatic cancer.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cancer is selected from the group consisting of colon cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer and pancreatic cancer.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the cancer is metastatic.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is formulated for parenteral delivery.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is formulated for enteral delivery.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the inhibitor of the ATB 0,+ amino acid transporter inhibits transport of D-serine but the inhibitor of the ATB 0,+ amino acid transporter itself is not transported.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the administration of one or more additional therapeutic agents.

14. The method of claim 5 , further comprising the administration of one or more additional therapeutic agents.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alpha methyl tryptophan comprises a racemic mixture of alpha methyl tryptophan, comprises the L isomer of alpha methyl tryptophan and does not comprise the D isomer of alpha methyl tryptophan, or comprises the D isomer of alpha methyl tryptophan and does not comprise the L isomer of alpha methyl tryptophan.

16. The method of claim 2 , wherein the alpha methyl tryptophan comprises a racemic mixture of alpha methyl tryptophan, comprises the L isomer of alpha methyl tryptophan and does not comprise the D isomer of alpha methyl tryptophan, or comprises the D isomer of alpha methyl tryptophan and does not comprise the L isomer of alpha methyl tryptophan.

17. The method of claim 5 , wherein the alpha methyl tryptophan comprises a racemic mixture of alpha methyl tryptophan, comprises the L isomer of alpha methyl tryptophan and does not comprise the D isomer of alpha methyl tryptophan, or comprises the D isomer of alpha methyl tryptophan and does not comprise the L isomer of alpha methyl tryptophan.

18. The method of claim 7 , wherein the cancer is metastatic.

19. The method of claim 5 , wherein the cancer is selected from the group consisting of colon cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer and pancreatic cancer.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the cancer is metastatic.

21. The method of claim 5 , wherein the composition is formulated for parenteral delivery.

22. The method of claim 5 , wherein the composition is formulated for enteral delivery.