Purine nucleoside analogues are extensively used in the treatment of malignancies and viral diseases. For example, cladribine and fludarabine are two purine nucleoside analogues that have activity in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemias. These chemotherapeutic agents exert their cytotoxic actions through interactions with intracellular targets. Due to their hydrophilic nature, many purine nucleoside analogues do not readily diffuse across cell membranes at therapeutic concentrations. The presence or absence of mediated transport systems will therefore have an impact on their pharmacological activities.There are two families of nucleoside transporters with members in human (h) cells and tissues: the equilibrative nucleoside transporters (hENTs) and the concentrative nucleoside transporters (hCNTs). These transporter proteins mediate the uptake of both physiologic nucleosides and nucleoside analogue chemotherapeutic agents. It has been documented that permeant specificity, tissue distribution and cellular localization of these transporters contribute to the antineoplastic activity of the purine nucleoside analogues. This article will review current knowledge of the role of nucleoside transport proteins in the cytotoxic actions of purine nucleoside analogues.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.