Adenosine deaminase inhibitor

Adenosine deaminase inhibitor is a type of drug that inhibits the action of adenosine deaminase, an enzyme involved in purine metabolism. This class of drugs has significant applications in the treatment of various diseases, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, and certain infectious diseases.

Mechanism of Action

Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of adenosine and deoxyadenosine to inosine and deoxyinosine, respectively. By inhibiting ADA, adenosine deaminase inhibitors increase the concentration of adenosine and deoxyadenosine in cells. This can have various effects, depending on the specific cellular context.

In lymphocytes, for example, increased adenosine levels can inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis, or programmed cell death. This makes adenosine deaminase inhibitors potentially useful in the treatment of diseases characterized by excessive lymphocyte proliferation, such as certain types of cancer and autoimmune diseases.

Clinical Applications

Adenosine deaminase inhibitors have been investigated for use in a variety of clinical contexts. For example, they have been studied as potential treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, and other cancers. They have also been investigated for use in the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, as well as certain infectious diseases, including tuberculosis and hepatitis C.

Examples

Examples of adenosine deaminase inhibitors include pentostatin and coformycin, which are used in the treatment of hairy cell leukemia, and EHNA, a non-specific adenosine deaminase inhibitor.

Side Effects

Like all drugs, adenosine deaminase inhibitors can have side effects. These can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue. More serious side effects can include bone marrow suppression, which can lead to a decrease in the number of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets in the body.

See Also

• Adenosine deaminase deficiency
• Purine metabolism
• Enzyme inhibitor