Gallium maltolate is an oral agent in development for the potential treatment of chronic bacterial infections, bone disease and cancer. The bioavailable form, composed of a trivalent gallium cation (Ga3+) competes with and replaces Fe3+ in many vital Fe 3+-mediated biological reactions, but cannot mimic Fe3+ functions. High amounts of iron are needed for DNA synthesis in cancer, and the incorporation of Ga3+ inactivates the Fe3+-dependent enzyme ribonucleotide reductase (RR), an enzyme essential for DNA synthesis, leading to an inhibition of DNA synthesis and induction of cell death in rapidly proliferating cells. Gallium similarly reduces bacterial cell growth. Ga3+ is also able to suppress inflammation through the down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cells and the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion. Other effects that have been mentioned are analgesic effects, interference with the activity of certain metalloproteinases and neuropeptides that are implicated in pain, and prevention of the destruction of bone by tumors. Gallium maltolate is being investigated for use/treatment in bladder cancer, lymphoma (unspecified), multiple myeloma, paget's disease, and prostate cancer.