nitrosoureas

Types

 carmustine

• Carmustine is a highly lipophilic nitrosourea compound which undergoes hydrolysis in vivo to form reactive metabolites. These metabolites cause alkylation and cross-linking of DNA. Other biologic effects include inhibition of DNA repair and some cell cycle phase-specificity. Nitrosoureas generally lack cross-resistance with other alkylating agents.

 streptozocin

• Streptozocin is an antitumour antibiotic consisting of a nitrosourea moiety interposed between a methyl group and a glucosamine. Although its mechanism of action is not completely clear, streptozocin is known to inhibit DNA synthesis, interfere with biochemical reactions of NAD and NADH, and inhibit some enzymes involved in gluconeogenesis. Streptozocin is cell cycle phase-nonspecific and non-cross-resistant with other nitrosoureas.

See also

 alkylating agents