Tegafur/uracil

Tegafur/uracil is a chemotherapy drug combination used in the treatment of various types of cancer, including colorectal cancer, stomach cancer, and breast cancer. It is a combination of two drugs: tegafur, a prodrug of 5-fluorouracil, and uracil, a naturally occurring base found in RNA.

Mechanism of Action

Tegafur is metabolized in the liver to 5-fluorouracil, which inhibits the enzyme thymidylate synthase, thereby blocking the synthesis of the pyrimidine thymidine, which is a nucleoside required for DNA replication. Uracil competes with 5-fluorouracil for the enzyme dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase, which metabolizes both compounds. By inhibiting the metabolism of 5-fluorouracil, uracil increases the concentration of 5-fluorouracil in the body, enhancing its cytotoxic effect.

Side Effects

Common side effects of tegafur/uracil include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue. Less common but more serious side effects can include neutropenia, a decrease in white blood cells that can increase the risk of infection, and hand-foot syndrome, a condition characterized by redness, swelling, and pain in the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.

Dosage and Administration

Tegafur/uracil is administered orally, usually twice daily. The dosage is based on the patient's body surface area and the specific type of cancer being treated. It is often given in combination with other chemotherapy drugs.

See Also

• Chemotherapy
• Colorectal cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Breast cancer
• 5-fluorouracil
• Prodrug
• RNA
• Thymidylate synthase
• Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase
• Neutropenia
• Hand-foot syndrome