Potentiation of cytotoxicity and antitumor activity of adenosine analogs by the adenosine deaminase inhibitor adecypenol.

Abstract

The enzyme adenosine deaminase (ADA) (adenosine aminohydrolase, EC 3.5.4.4), which is widespread in mammalian tissue, is involved in the regulation of the intracellular levels of adenosine and deoxyadenosine, which control a number of important physiological functions and serve as precursors of nucleic acid biosynthesis. ADA inhibitors such as deoxycoformycin are considered to be responsible for alterations in adenosine and deoxyadenosine levels, lymphocytic growth and functions, and also to enhance the chemotherapeutic effects of adenosine analogs which serve as a substrate of ADA1\ Recently, we found two new ADAinhibitors, adechlorin