Antineoplastic agents pyrimidine analogs

Nucleic-acid-related molecules (nucleotides, nucleosides, purines, pyrimidines) may also be used as dmgs themselves (and not only as dmg receptors). Once again, as discussed in chapters 7 and 9, this is most relevant in the areas of cancer and infectious disease, with purine/pyrimidine analogs being exploited as antimetabolites. 5-Fluorouracil is a well-described antineoplastic agent. Analogously, 5-fluorocytosine is used as an antifungal... 

Flucytosine (5-FC) was discovered in 1957 during a search for novel antineoplastic agents. Though devoid of anticancer properties, it became apparent that it was a potent antifungal agent. Flucytosine is a water-soluble pyrimidine analog related to the chemotherapeutic agent fluorouracil (5-FU). Its spectrum of action is much narrower than that of amphotericin B. 

It is well established that aza analogs of purines, pyrimidines and their nucleosides possess significant but varying potency as antineoplastic agents [1-7]. Thus, for example, 6-azacytidine is an inhibitor for orotidylic acid decarboxylase [3] and 6-azauracil inhibits the development of animal tumors [4] and human acute leukemia [5] similarly, 8-azaguanine is a highly effective anti-neoplastic agent [6] and also inhibits animal tumors [7]. 

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