SN-38
SN-38
SN-38 (pronounced as S-N-thirty-eight) is an active metabolite of the chemotherapeutic drug Irinotecan. It is primarily used in the treatment of various types of cancer, including colorectal cancer and lung cancer.
Etymology
The name "SN-38" is derived from the original compound name, "NK012", which was developed by Nippon Kayaku. The "SN" stands for "semi-synthetic", indicating that the compound is a semi-synthetic derivative of a naturally occurring substance, and "38" is a sequential number assigned during the development process.
Pharmacology
SN-38 is a potent topoisomerase I inhibitor, which means it interferes with the action of topoisomerase I, an enzyme that helps to separate DNA strands during replication. By inhibiting this enzyme, SN-38 prevents cancer cells from replicating their DNA and thus inhibits their growth and proliferation.
Related Terms
- Irinotecan: The prodrug of SN-38, which is converted into SN-38 in the body.
- Topoisomerase I inhibitor: A type of drug that inhibits the action of topoisomerase I, an enzyme that helps to separate DNA strands during replication.
- Chemotherapy: A type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells.
- Metabolite: A substance produced by metabolism.
- Prodrug: A medication or compound that, after administration, is metabolized into a pharmacologically active drug.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on SN-38
- Wikipedia's article - SN-38
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