Nitrosourea Explained

Nitrosourea is both the name of a molecule, and a class of compounds that include a nitroso (R-NO) group and a urea.

Examples

Examples include:

• Arabinopyranosyl-N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (Aranose)
• Carmustine (BCNU, BiCNU)
• Chlorozotocin
• Ethylnitrosourea (ENU)
• Fotemustine
• Lomustine (CCNU)
• Nimustine
• N-Nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU)
• Ranimustine (MCNU)
• Semustine
• Streptozocin (Streptozotocin)

Nitrosourea compounds are DNA alkylating agents and are often used in chemotherapy.^[1] They are lipophilic and thus can cross the blood–brain barrier, making them useful in the treatment of brain tumors such as glioblastoma multiforme.^[2]

Side effects

Some nitrosoureas (e.g. lomustine) have been associated with the development of interstitial lung disease.^[3]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Antineop . 2009-01-24 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090307052941/http://faculty.swosu.edu/scott.long/phcl/antineop.htm . 2009-03-07 .
2. Takimoto CH, Calvo E. "Principles of oncologic pharmacotherapy". in Pazdur R, Wagman LD, Camphausen KA, Hoskins WJ (Eds) Cancer management: a multidisciplinary approach. 11 ed. 2008.
3. Tucci E, Verdiani P, Di Carlo S, Sforza V . Lomustine (CCNU)-induced pulmonary fibrosis . Tumori . 72 . 1 . 95–8 . 1986 . 10.1177/030089168607200114 . 3952821. 33327504 .