N-oxides as hypoxia selective cytotoxins

H Cerecetto; M González

doi:10.2174/1389557013406891

N-oxides as hypoxia selective cytotoxins

Mini Rev Med Chem. 2001 Sep;1(3):219-31. doi: 10.2174/1389557013406891.

Authors

H Cerecetto¹, M González

Affiliation

¹ Departamento de Química Orgánica, Facultad de Química y Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Avda Gral Flores 2124 CC 1157, 11800 Montevideo Uruguay. [email protected]

PMID: 12369969
DOI: 10.2174/1389557013406891

Abstract

N-oxide-containing compounds have been developed as prodrugs that are selectively bioactivated in the hypoxic cells in tumors. This selectivity is based on the net reduction of the N-oxide moiety in the absence of oxygen, in a one or two-electron process, by reductive enzymes. A wide range of N-oxides have been studied and some of them are currently in clinical use. This review covers the principal families of compounds under study and in clinical trials.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Antioxidants / chemical synthesis
Antioxidants / chemistry
Antioxidants / pharmacology
Cell Hypoxia / drug effects*
Cytotoxins / chemical synthesis*
Cytotoxins / chemistry
Cytotoxins / pharmacology
Drug Design
Humans
Models, Molecular
Molecular Conformation
Neoplasms / pathology
Nitrogen Oxides / chemical synthesis*
Nitrogen Oxides / pharmacology
Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

Antioxidants
Cytotoxins
Nitrogen Oxides