DLA 29

Question 1

6- mercaptopurine is used for what?

Answer 1

used to treat some forms of leukemia

Question 2

what does the enzyme Thiopurine methyltransferase do?

Answer 2

this enzyme catalyzes the reaction of mercaptopurine to an inactivated form by methylation

Question 3

what are some functions of mercaptopurine?

Answer 3

6-mercaptopurine functions by inhibition of the purine biosynthetic pathway which are needed for the formation of nucleotides, and thus production of DNA, and RNA.

In this way, 6-mercaptopurine slows proliferation

Question 4

Thiopurine S-methyltransferase Polymorphism?

Answer 4

The dose of mercaptopurine must be reduced in these patients

increased risk for myelosupression when treated with standard doses of thiopurine drugs