Pentostatin (or deoxycoformycin, trade name Nipent, manufactured by SuperGen) is an anticancer chemotherapeutic drug.

Mechanism

It is classified as a

purine analog Purine analogues are antimetabolites that mimic the structure of metabolic purines. Examples * Nucleobase analogues ** Thiopurines such as thioguanine are used to treat acute leukemias and remissions in acute granulocytic leukemias. ***Azathioprin ...

, which is a type of antimetabolite. It mimics the nucleoside

adenosine Adenosine ( symbol A) is an organic compound that occurs widely in nature in the form of diverse derivatives. The molecule consists of an adenine attached to a ribose via a β-N9-glycosidic bond. Adenosine is one of the four nucleoside building ...

and thus inhibits the enzyme adenosine deaminase, interfering with the cell's ability to process DNA. Cancer cells generally divide more often than healthy cells; DNA is highly involved in cell division (

mitosis In cell biology, mitosis () is a part of the cell cycle in which replicated chromosomes are separated into two new nuclei. Cell division by mitosis gives rise to genetically identical cells in which the total number of chromosomes is mainta ...

) and drugs which target DNA-related processes are therefore more toxic to cancer cells than healthy cells.

Uses

Pentostatin is used to treat hairy cell leukemia. It is given by

intravenous Intravenous therapy (abbreviated as IV therapy) is a medical technique that administers fluids, medications and nutrients directly into a person's vein. The intravenous route of administration is commonly used for rehydration or to provide nutrie ...

infusion once every two weeks for three to six months. Additionally, pentostatin has been used to treat steroid-refractory acute and chronic

graft-versus-host disease Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a syndrome, characterized by inflammation in different organs. GvHD is commonly associated with bone marrow transplants and stem cell transplants. White blood cells of the donor's immune system which remain wit ...

. Pentostatin is also used in

chronic lymphocytic leukemia Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a type of cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). Early on, there are typically no symptoms. Later, non-painful lymph node swelling, feeling tired, fever, nigh ...

(CLL) patients who have relapsed.

References

Nucleosides Purine antagonists Adenosine deaminase inhibitors {{antineoplastic-drug-stub