Nucleoside bypass therapy

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Nucleoside Bypass Therapy is a form of medical treatment that involves the use of nucleoside analogs to bypass the normal DNA replication process. This therapy is primarily used in the treatment of viral infections, cancer, and certain genetic disorders.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Nucleoside bypass therapy works by introducing nucleoside analogs into the body. These analogs are structurally similar to the natural nucleotides that make up DNA, but they contain modifications that can interfere with the normal process of DNA replication. When these analogs are incorporated into the DNA of a cell, they can cause the DNA replication process to stall or terminate prematurely, which can prevent the cell from dividing and proliferating.

Applications[edit | edit source]

Viral Infections[edit | edit source]

In the context of viral infections, nucleoside bypass therapy can be used to inhibit the replication of the virus. Many viruses, including HIV and hepatitis C, rely on the host cell's DNA replication machinery to reproduce. By introducing nucleoside analogs that interfere with this process, it is possible to prevent the virus from replicating and spreading.

Cancer[edit | edit source]

Nucleoside bypass therapy can also be used in the treatment of cancer. Cancer cells are characterized by their rapid and uncontrolled division. By interfering with the DNA replication process, nucleoside bypass therapy can prevent these cells from dividing and proliferating, thereby inhibiting the growth of the tumor.

Genetic Disorders[edit | edit source]

Certain genetic disorders are caused by mutations in the DNA that result in the production of dysfunctional proteins. In some cases, nucleoside bypass therapy can be used to bypass these mutations and restore the production of functional proteins.

Risks and Side Effects[edit | edit source]

Like all medical treatments, nucleoside bypass therapy carries certain risks and side effects. These can include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and anemia. In addition, because nucleoside analogs can interfere with the normal process of DNA replication, they can also have genotoxic effects and increase the risk of secondary cancers.

See Also[edit | edit source]


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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD