6-MP - Mercaptopurine

Agents targeting the excessive immune response or cytokines involved in IBD are potential treatment options (Table 16-3). Azathioprine and its active metabolite 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) are inhibitors of purine biosynthesis and reduce IBD-associated GI inflammation. They are most useful for maintaining remission of IBD or reducing the need for long-term use of corticosteroids. Use in active disease is limited by their slow onset of action, which may be as long as 3 to 12 months. Adverse effects associated with azathioprine and 6-MP include hypersensitivity reactions resulting in pancreatitis, fever, rash, hepatitis, and leukopenia.25,26... 

Mercaptopurine (6-MP) is an oral purine analog that is converted to a ribonucleotide to inhibit purine synthesis. Mercaptopurine is converted into thiopurine nucleotides, which are catabolized by thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT), which is subject to genetic polymorphisms and may cause severe myelosuppression. TPMT status may be assessed prior to therapy to reduce drug-induced morbidity and the costs of hospitalizations for neutropenic events. Mercaptopurine is poorly absorbed, with a time to peak concentration of 1 to 2 hours after an oral dose. The half-life is 21 minutes in pediatric patients and 47 minutes in adults. Mercaptopurine is used in the treatment of acute lymphocytic leukemia and chronic myelogenous leukemia. Significant side effects include myelosuppression, mild nausea, skin rash, and cholestasis. When allopurinol is used in combination with 6-MP, the dose of 6-MP must be reduced by 66% to 75% of the usual dose because allopurinol blocks the metabolism of 6-MP. 

Thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) catalyzes the S-methylation of thiopurine dmgs, such as 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), 6-thioguanine and azathioprine, to inactive metabolites [29-32]. Thiopurines form part of the routine treatment for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, rheumatoid arthritis, and autoimmune diseases such as SLE and Crohn s disease, and are used as an immunosuppressant following organ transplantation. 

Fig. 13.2 Thiopurine methyl transferase (TPMT) methylator genotypes in Crohn s disease during azathioprine/6-mercaptopurine (AZA/6-MP) treatment influences the time in months to development of severe myelosuppression. However, only 27% of patients with Crohn s disease and myelo-suppression during AZA therapy had mutant alleles of the TPMT gene associated with enzyme deficiency. Myelosuppression is more often caused by other factors. Continued monitoring of blood cell counts remains mandatory in patients treated with AZA. (Reproduced from ref 35.)...

P/7armaco/ogy Azathioprine, an imidazoyl derivative of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), has many biological effects similar to those of the parent compound. 

Mercaptopurine [6-MP] (Purinethol) [Antineoplastic/ Antimeta lite] Uses Acute leukemias, 2nd-line Rx of CML NHL, maint ALL in children, immunosuppressant w/ autoimmune Dzs (Crohn Dz) Action Antimetabolite, mimics hypoxanthine Dose Adults. 80-100 mg/mVd or 2.5-5 mg/kg/d maint 1.5-2.5 mg/kg/d Peds. Per protocol X w/ renal/hepatic insuff on empty stomach Caution [D, ] Contra Severe hepatic Dz, BM suppression, PRG Disp Tabs SE Mild hematotox, mucositis, stomatitis, D rash, fever, eosinophilia, jaundice. Hep Interactions T Effects W/ allopurinol T risk of BM suppression W/ trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole X effects OF warfarin EMS May falsely T glucose OD May cause NA and liver necrosis symptomatic and supportive Meropenem (Merrem) [Antibiotic/Carbapenem] Uses lntra-abd Infxns, bacterial meningitis Action Carbapenem X cell wall synth, a [3-lactam Dose Adults. 1 to 2 g IV q8h Peds. >3 mo, <50 kg 10-40 mg/kg IV q 8h in renal insuff Caution [B, ] Contra [3-Lactam sensitivity Disp Inj 500 mg, 1 g SE Less Sz potential than imipenem D, thrombocytopenia Interactions T Effects W/ probenecid EMS Monitor for signs of electrolyte disturbances and... 

The thiopurines 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and 6-thioguanine (6-TG) are essential components of treatment protocols for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia... 

Fig. 1. Outline of treatment strategy applied in the ALL-Berlin-Frankfurt-Munster (BFM) 95 study (1995-2000). Patients were assigned to standard-risk (SR), intermediate-risk (MR) and high-risk (HR) subgroups. Elements containing 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) or 6-thioguanine (6-TG) are indicated in grey. Abbreviations PRED-GR, prednisone good response PRED-PR, prednisone poor response DEXA, dexamethasone VCR, vincristine DNR, daunorubicin HD-MTX, high-dose methotrexate LD-ARA-C, low-dose cytarabine SCT, stem cell transplantation.

The thiopurines 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and 6-thioguanine (6-TG) were synthesized by Elion and Hitchings in the 1950s, and they play an important part in treatment protocols for leukemia (61,62,63,64). For no other than historical reasons, 6-MP is used in ALL while 6-TG is mainly used in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or relapsed ALL. First-line treatment for childhood ALL usually includes several cycles of 6-MP at doses of 50-75 mg/m /d, starting as early as in consolidation/early intensification treatment until up to 36 months after diagnosis (1,2,3). 

TGN represents the sum of 6-thioguanosine monophosphate (6-thio-GMP), -diphosphate (6-thio-GDP) and -triphosphate (6-thio-GTP). In contrast, both TPMT and XO are the predominant catabolic enzymes in the metabolism of thiopurines. TPMT catalyses the X-adenosyl-L-methionine dependent S-methylation of 6-MP and its metabolites into 6-methyl-mercaptopurine (6-MMP), 6-methyl-mercaptopurine ribonucleotides (6-MMPR) such as 6-methylthioinosine monophosphat (meTIMP), and 6-methyl-thioguanine nucleotides (6-MTGN) (93). 

MP is converted to an inactive metabolite (6-thiouric acid) by an oxidation reaction catalyzed by xanthine oxidase, whereas 6-TG undergoes deamination. This is an important issue because the purine analog allopurinol, a potent xanthine oxidase inhibitor, is frequently used as a supportive care measure in the treatment of acute leukemias to prevent the development of hyperuricemia that often occurs with tumor cell lysis. Because allopurinol inhibits xanthine oxidase, simultaneous therapy with allopurinol and 6-MP would result in increased levels of 6-MP, thereby leading to excessive toxicity. In this setting, the dose of mercaptopurine must be reduced by 50-75%. In contrast, such an interaction does not occur with 6-TG, which can be used in full doses with allopurinol. 

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