Chapter 2
Anticancer Drugs - B. Antimetabolites
An antimetabolite is a drug that interferes with normal cell
metabolism by inhibiting certain metabolite pathways and stopping cell growth
or cell division. The molecular structure of an antimetabolite is
usually similar to the metabolite that they interfere with. They usually induce
cell death during the S phase of the cell cycle.
For example, folic acid is an
important component in the synthesis and repair of DNA and RNA. An analog of
folic acid, methotrexate, has a structure that is almost identical to
that of folic acid but acts very differently; methotrexate inhibits cell
division to achieve its anticancer effect.
© Jiajiu Shaw, 2018
Disclaimer: This blog is written solely for informational purposes. It does not constitute the practice of any medical, nursing or other medical professional health care advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All contents posted are extracted from the book, "SIDE EFFECTS OF CHEMOTHERAPY AND RADIOTHERAPY", prepared by Dr. Jiajiu Shaw, Dr. Frederick Valeriote, and Dr. Ben Chen.
