Azacitidine-13C-15N3

Azacitidine-13C-15N3, also known as 5-azacytidine, is a synthetic analogue of the nucleoside cytidine that is used as a chemotherapy drug to treat certain types of cancer, including myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia. It works by inhibiting the activity of DNA methyltransferases, which are enzymes responsible for adding methyl groups to DNA, resulting in the silencing of tumor suppressor genes. Azacitidine-13C-15N3 is administered via injection into the bloodstream and is typically given over a period of several days in a hospital or clinic setting. Chemically, Azacitidine-13C-15N3 is a nucleoside analogue, meaning that it has a similar structure to the building blocks of DNA and RNA. It is composed of a five-membered nitrogen-containing ring (a pyrimidine) fused to a ribose sugar molecule, with a nitrogen atom in place of the carbon atom at position 5 of the pyrimidine ring. The 13C-15N3 labeling means that specific carbon and nitrogen atoms in the molecule have been replaced with their heavier isotopes, which can be used for analytical purposes such as tracking the fate of the drug in the body. While Azacitidine-13C-15N3 can be an effective treatment for certain types of cancer, it can also have side effects such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and low blood cell counts. Patients receiving this drug should be closely monitored by their healthcare team to manage these potential complications.