Purine inhibitors

Purine inhibitors are a class of drugs that inhibit the synthesis of purine nucleotides, which are essential components of DNA and RNA. They are used in the treatment of various diseases, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases.

Mechanism of Action

Purine inhibitors work by blocking the enzymes involved in the synthesis of purine nucleotides. These enzymes include adenosine deaminase (ADA) and purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), among others. By inhibiting these enzymes, purine inhibitors prevent the formation of purine nucleotides, thereby disrupting the synthesis of DNA and RNA and inhibiting cell growth and proliferation.

Clinical Uses

Purine inhibitors are used in the treatment of a variety of diseases. In oncology, they are used to treat certain types of cancer, including leukemia and lymphoma, by inhibiting the growth and proliferation of cancer cells. In rheumatology, they are used to treat autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, by suppressing the immune system and reducing inflammation. In infectious disease, they are used to treat viral infections, by inhibiting the replication of the virus.

Examples

Examples of purine inhibitors include mercaptopurine, azathioprine, fludarabine, and cladribine. These drugs are all prodrugs, which means they are inactive in their administered form and must be metabolized in the body to their active form.

Side Effects

Like all drugs, purine inhibitors can have side effects. These can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and bone marrow suppression, which can lead to anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia. More serious side effects can include liver toxicity and pancreatitis.

See Also

• Purine
• Purine metabolism
• Purine nucleoside phosphorylase deficiency
• Adenosine deaminase deficiency