8-Azaguanine

From WikiMD.com - Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

An antimetabolite and purine analog used in cancer treatment


8-Azaguanine
INN
Drug class
Routes of administration
Pregnancy category
Bioavailability
Metabolism
Elimination half-life
Excretion
Legal status
CAS Number
PubChem
DrugBank
ChemSpider
KEGG


8-Azaguanine is a purine analog and antimetabolite that has been studied for its potential use in cancer treatment. It is a derivative of guanine, one of the four main nucleobases found in the nucleic acids DNA and RNA.

Chemical Structure[edit | edit source]

Chemical structure of 8-Azaguanine

8-Azaguanine is structurally similar to guanine, with the primary difference being the substitution of a nitrogen atom in place of a carbon atom in the purine ring. This alteration allows 8-azaguanine to interfere with nucleic acid metabolism.

Mechanism of Action[edit | edit source]

8-Azaguanine acts as an antimetabolite by mimicking the structure of guanine. When incorporated into DNA or RNA, it disrupts normal cellular processes, leading to the inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis. This disruption is particularly effective in rapidly dividing cells, such as cancer cells, making 8-azaguanine a potential chemotherapeutic agent.

Clinical Applications[edit | edit source]

Although 8-azaguanine has shown promise in preclinical studies, its clinical use has been limited. Research has focused on its potential to treat various types of cancer, including leukemia and lymphoma. However, the development of more effective and less toxic alternatives has overshadowed its use.

Side Effects[edit | edit source]

As with many chemotherapeutic agents, 8-azaguanine can cause a range of side effects. These may include myelosuppression, gastrointestinal disturbances, and hepatotoxicity. The severity of side effects often depends on the dosage and duration of treatment.

Research and Development[edit | edit source]

Research into 8-azaguanine continues, with studies exploring its mechanism of action, potential combination therapies, and ways to mitigate its side effects. Advances in pharmacogenomics may also provide insights into patient-specific responses to 8-azaguanine.

Related Pages[edit | edit source]

WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD