tretazicar

CB1954(Tretazicar (NSC-115829)), an anticancer prodrug, is activated by NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 2. It is converted in the presence of the enzyme NQO2 and co-substrate caricotamide ( EP-0152R) (EP) into a potent cytotoxic bifunctional alkylating agent.

Caricotamide is a synthetic co-substrate that activates the human endogenous enzyme NRH:quinone oxidoreductase 2 (NQO2) with potential chemoadjuvant activity. When caricotamide is administered simultaneously with the prodrug tretazicar, NQO2 converts tretazicar to the bifunctional alkylating agent dinitrobenzamide, which is capable of forming a high degree of DNA interstrand cross-links, resulting in the inhibition of DNA replication and the induction of apoptosis. NQO2 has been found to be over-expressed in cancers such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), colorectal and ovarian cancers.