The Sound of Evolution
Fluorouracil
Mechanism of action:
Fluorouracil is a fluorinated derivative of uracil. In the body, fluorouracil can be converted into several active metabolites, including FdUMP (5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine monophosphate), which inhibits thymidylate synthase and blocks dTMP synthesis; FUTP (5-fluorouridine triphosphate), which is incorporated into RNA and disrupts RNA function and protein synthesis; and FdUTP, which is incorporated into DNA, causing DNA abnormalities, preventing cancer cell division, and promoting apoptosis.
Reference(s):
1. Longley DB et al. (2003). 5-fluorouracil: mechanisms of action and clinical strategies. Nat Rev Cancer.
2. Petty RD et al. (2004). Novel fluoropyrimidines: improving the efficacy and tolerability of cytotoxic therapy. Curr Cancer Drug Targets.