NCIt definition : A sulfhydryl-containing analog of proline with antihypertensive activity and potential
antineoplastic activity. Captopril competitively inhibits angiotensin converting enzyme
(ACE), thereby decreasing levels of angiotensin II, increasing plasma renin activity,
and decreasing aldosterone secretion. This agent may also inhibit tumor angiogenesis
by inhibiting endothelial cell matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and endothelial cell
migration. Captopril may also exhibit antineoplastic activity independent of effects
on tumor angiogenesis. (NCI04);
Alternative definition : NCI-GLOSS: A drug used to treat high blood pressure that is also being studied in
the prevention of side effects caused by radiation therapy used in the treatment of
cancer. It belongs to the family of drugs called ACE inhibitors.;