Metabolism and action of amino acid analog anti-cancer agents

GS Ahluwalia, JL Grem, Z Hao, DA Cooney - Pharmacology & therapeutics, 1990 - Elsevier
GS Ahluwalia, JL Grem, Z Hao, DA Cooney
Pharmacology & therapeutics, 1990Elsevier
The preclinical pharmacology, antitumor activity and toxicity of seven of the more important
amino acid analogs, with antineoplastic activity, is discussed in this review. Three of these
compounds are antagonists of l-glutamine: acivicin, DON and azaserine; and two are
analogs of l-aspartic acid; PALA and l-alanosine. All five of these antimetabolites interrupt
cellular nucleotide synthesis and thereby halt the formation of DNA and/or RNA in the tumor
cell. The remaining two compounds, buthionine sulfoximine and difluoromethylornithine, are …
Abstract
The preclinical pharmacology, antitumor activity and toxicity of seven of the more important amino acid analogs, with antineoplastic activity, is discussed in this review. Three of these compounds are antagonists of l-glutamine: acivicin, DON and azaserine; and two are analogs of l-aspartic acid; PALA and l-alanosine. All five of these antimetabolites interrupt cellular nucleotide synthesis and thereby halt the formation of DNA and/or RNA in the tumor cell. The remaining two compounds, buthionine sulfoximine and difluoromethylornithine, are inhibitors of glutathione and polyamine synthesis, respectively, with limited intrinsic antitumor activity; however, because of their powerful biochemical actions and their low systemic toxicities, they are being evaluated as chemotherapeutic adjuncts to or modulators of other more toxic antineoplastic agents.
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