[1] Oxamate has a molecular formula of C2H2NO3− and is an isosteric form of pyruvate.

[3] Oxamate, as a lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) inhibitor, plus phenformin, an anti-diabetic agent, has been tested in conjunction with one another and it was shown that this combination has potential anti-cancer properties.

[4] Phenformin when administered by itself has a high incidence of lactic acidosis.

[4] Oxamate also plays inhibiting roles with oxaloacetate, an important intermediate for the citric acid cycle.

Oxamate competes and binds to the carboxyl transferase domain active site, and reverses the reaction of oxalaoacetate decarboxylation by pyruvate carboxylase.