Thymidine phosphorylase (platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor) as a target for capecitabine: from biology to the bedside.

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Ranieri G, Roccaro AM, Vacca A, Ribatti D

Thymidine phosphorylase (platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor) as a target for capecitabine: from biology to the bedside.

Recent Pat Anticancer Drug Discov. 2006 Jun;1(2):171-83.

PubMed ID

18221035 [ View in PubMed

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Abstract

Thymidine phosphorylase (TP), also known as platelet derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF), is an enzyme involved in thymidine synthesis and degradation and exerts an angiogenic activity, whereas N4 pentyloxy-carbonyl- 5'-deoxy-5-fluorocytidine, commonly called capecitabine (CAP), is a TP-activated oral fluorpyrimidine, which generates 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) within tumours. In addition to its classic antitumour activity, recent studies suggest that CAP may act as an antiangiogenetic molecule. Assessment of tumour microvessel density as expressed by endothelial cell TP positivity may identify the most vascularized and hence CAP-sensitive tumours. This review summarizes: (i) the biochemical and tissue expression of TP; (ii) the pharmacological profile of CAP as an anti-cancer compound and the central role of TP in its activation; (iii) the potential antiangiogenetic role of TP-activated CAP in tumours.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Enzymes

Drug	Enzyme	Kind	Organism	Pharmacological Action	Actions
Capecitabine	Thymidine phosphorylase	Protein	Humans	No	Substrate	Details