NCIt definition : A synthetic pyrimidine nucleoside analogue with biomodulating activity. Tetrahydrouridine
increases the efficacy of the radiosensitizer cytochlor (5-chloro-2'-deoxycytidine)
by inhibiting the enzyme deoxycytidine monophosphate (dCMP) deaminase and preventing
the premature deamination of the cytochlor metabolite 5-chloro-2'-deoxycytidine monophosphate
(CldCMP) to 5-chloro-2'-deoxyuridine monophosphate (CldUMP); in turn, this increases
tumor concentrations of CldUMP which is then further anabolized and incorporated selectively
into tumor DNA as CldU (5-chloro-2'-deoxyuridine). (NCI04);
Alternative definition : NCI-GLOSS: A substance that makes tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy
and is being studied in the treatment of cancer. It belongs to the families of drugs
called cytidine deaminase inhibitors, multidrug resistance modulators, and radiosensitizers.;