Nitrosoureas
Nitrosoureas are a group of chemical compounds that are derived as derivatives of nitrosourea as the basic substance. Some nitrosoureas are used in oncology as cytostatics for the treatment of various cancers .
General properties
Nitrosoureas belong to the group of alkylating agents . This means that they can chemically change the DNA in the cell nucleus in such a way that the function of the DNA is largely disturbed. The affected cells cannot divide any further and die ( apoptosis ). In addition, the nitrosoureas prevent the repair of the damaged DNA.
Many nitrosoureas are able to cross the blood-brain barrier due to their small molecule size and their lipophilicity . This is in the treatment of CNS - metastases and brain tumors is very important.
The nitrosoureas are myelotoxic , which means that they damage the bone marrow . This damage has a negative effect on blood formation, particularly platelets and leukocytes . The number of platelets and leukocytes decreases with a significant delay, approx. 4 to 6 weeks after the start of therapy. For this reason, the intervals between two treatment cycles for nitrosoureas must be longer than for other cytostatics.
In addition, nausea and hair loss are the most important side effects after the administration of these cytostatics. Some nitrosoureas are also toxic to the kidneys and lungs.
The nitrosoureas themselves are carcinogenic , that is, carcinogenic. High-dose therapies can therefore possibly lead to bladder cancer .
Main representatives
- Carmustine 1,3-bis (2-chloroethyl) -1-nitrosourea
- Lomustine 1- (2-chloroethyl) -3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea
- Semustin N - (2-chloroethyl) - N ′ - (4-methylcyclohexyl) - N -nitrosourea
- Nimustin 1 - [(4-Amino-2-methylpyrimidin-5-yl) methyl] -3- (2-chloroethyl) -3-nitrosourea
- Streptozocin 2-deoxy-2- (3-methyl-3-nitroso-ureido) - D -glucopyranose
- Fotemustin 1- (2-chloroethyl) -3- (1-diethoxyphosphorylethyl) -1-nitrosourea
- Chlorozotocin
- Ranimustine
- N -Ethyl- N -nitrosourea (ENU)
- N -methyl- N -nitrosourea
Individual evidence
- ↑ M. Galanski and A. Bankier: Thorax. Verlag Springer, 2003, ISBN 3-540-41421-5 , p. 589.
literature
- EP Mitchell and PS Schein: Contributions of nitrosoureas to cancer treatment. In: Cancer Treat Rep 70, 1986, pp. 31-41, PMID 3002621 .
- TP Johnston and JA Montgomery: Relationship of structure to anticancer activity and toxicity of the nitrosoureas in animal systems. In: Cancer Treat Rep 70, 1986, pp. 13-30, PMID 2935250 .
- AL Wang et al: Biochemical and pharmacologic properties of nitrosoureas. In: Cancer Treat Rep 65, 1981, pp. 119-124, PMID 7049367 .