Abstract |
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is an effective antitumor agent used in treating various cancers. Because of its metabolism by intestinal and other cells, 5-FU has an inconsistent bioavailability that limits its oral use. 5-Fluoro-2-pyrimidione (5-FP), a 5-FU prodrug, was synthesized and found to be converted to 5-FU by aldehyde oxidase, an enzyme present in high concentrations in the livers of mice and humans but not in the gastrointestinal tract. Using BDF1 mice, the pharmacokinetics of 5-FP were studied and compared with those of 5-FU. The bioavailability of 5-FP given orally was 100% at a dosage of 25 mg/kg and 78% at a dosage of 50 mg/kg. The half-lives of both doses of 5-FP were at least 2-fold longer than the half-lives of the same doses of 5-FU, and the clearance rates of 5-FP were 3-fold slower. 5-FP was converted rapidly to 5-FU, in vivo. The resulting 5-FU was measured at a steady-state level of 40-70 microM in plasma, at a dosage of 25 mg/kg, that was sustained for at least 4 hr. Also, when given orally, 5-FP was shown to have potent activity against Colon 38 tumor cells and P388 leukemia cells in mice. The therapeutic index of 5-FP was similar to that of 5-FU in these mouse tumor models. The potential clinical use of 5-FP as a prodrug of 5-FU should be considered.
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Authors | X Guo, M Lerner-Tung, H X Chen, C N Chang, J L Zhu, C P Chang, G Pizzorno, T S Lin, Y C Cheng |
Journal | Biochemical pharmacology
(Biochem Pharmacol)
Vol. 49
Issue 8
Pg. 1111-6
(Apr 18 1995)
ISSN: 0006-2952 [Print] England |
PMID | 7748192
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
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Chemical References |
- Prodrugs
- Flucytosine
- Aldehyde Oxidoreductases
- Aldehyde Oxidase
- Fluorouracil
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Topics |
- Administration, Oral
- Aldehyde Oxidase
- Aldehyde Oxidoreductases
(metabolism)
- Animals
- Biological Availability
- Colonic Neoplasms
(drug therapy, pathology)
- Flucytosine
(pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use, toxicity)
- Fluorouracil
(chemistry, pharmacokinetics, toxicity)
- Half-Life
- Kinetics
- Leukemia P388
(metabolism)
- Liver
(metabolism)
- Mice
- Prodrugs
(pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use, toxicity)
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