Mechanism of Action and Use of Radiomimetic Compounds. Part 1 – Alkylating Agents and Antimetabolites

Abstract

Radiomimetic substances are drugs producing similar symptoms in living organisms as ionising radiation does. They constitute a special subgroup of carcinogen, mutagen, teratogen compounds; their common characteristic is to cause DNA breaks and/or to inhibit their repair. Mustard gas and its derivatives – alkylating agents – were the first known group of radiomimetic substances, later, it was observed, that some purine and pyrimidine analogues playing an antimetabolic role show a resembling outcome. Initially mustards were used in warfare, but now their usage for military purpose is prohibited by the Chemical Weapons Convention. Other radiomimetic substances have also become important tools in medicine, as they have been shown to be useful against certain pathogens and tumours. This review is a brief summary about the mechanism of action and the most common applications of alkylating agents and antimetabolites. In the coming second part, the radiomimetic substances of bacterial origin are reviewed from similar perspectives.