Molecular Formula: C9H11F2N3O4
Molecular weight: 263.20 g/mol
CAS No: 95058-81-4
ATC Code: L01BC05
Drug Class: Anti-Cancer
General Properties:
Gemcitabine is a 2′-deoxycytidine having geminal fluoro substituents in the 2′-position. An inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase, gemcitabine is used in the treatment of various carcinomas, particularly non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, bladder cancer and breast cancer. It has a role as a photosensitizing agent, a DNA synthesis inhibitor, a prodrug, an EC 1.17.4.1 (ribonucleoside-diphosphate reductase) inhibitor, an environmental contaminant, a xenobiotic, a radiosensitizing agent, an antineoplastic agent, an antimetabolite, an antiviral drug and an immunosuppressive agent. It is an organofluorine compound and a pyrimidine 2′-deoxyribonucleoside.
Gemcitabine is a nucleoside analog and a chemotherapeutic agent. It was originally investigated for its antiviral effects, but it is now used as an anticancer therapy for various cancers. Gemcitabine is a cytidine analog with two fluorine atoms replacing the hydroxyl on the ribose. As a prodrug, gemcitabine is transformed into its active metabolites that work by replacing the building blocks of nucleic acids during DNA elongation, arresting tumour growth and promoting apoptosis of malignant cells. The structure, metabolism, and mechanism of action of gemcitabine are similar to [cytarabine], but gemcitabine has a wider spectrum of antitumour activity. Gemcitabine is marketed as Gemzar and it is available as intravenous injection. It is approved by the FDA to treat advanced ovarian cancer in combination with [carboplatin], metastatic breast cancer in combination with [paclitaxel], non-small cell lung cancer in combination with [cisplatin], and pancreatic cancer as monotherapy. It is also being investigated in other cancer and tumour types.
Gemcitabine is a cytosine analogue and intravenously administered antineoplastic agent used in the therapy of several forms of advanced, pancreatic, lung, breast, ovarian and bladder cancer. Gemcitabine is associated with a high rate of transient serum enzyme elevations during therapy but is a very rare cause of acute, clinically apparent liver injury.
Indication:
Gemcitabine is a chemotherapy drug used as a treatment for different types of cancer, including bladder and breast cancer. Depending on your cancer type you might have gemcitabine on its own or in combination with other cancer drugs. You might also have it alongside radiotherapy treatment.