Antimetabolite

An antimetabolite is a chemical that inhibits the use of a metabolite, which is another chemical that is part of normal metabolism.^[1] Such substances are often similar in structure to the metabolite that they interfere with, such as the antifolates that interfere with the use of folic acid; thus, competitive inhibition can occur, and the presence of antimetabolites can have toxic effects on cells, such as halting cell growth and cell division, so these compounds are used in chemotherapy for cancer.^[2]

^ Smith AL (1997). Oxford dictionary of biochemistry and molecular biology. Oxford [Oxfordshire]: Oxford University Press. p. 43. ISBN 978-0-19-854768-6.
^ Peters GJ, van der Wilt CL, van Moorsel CJ, Kroep JR, Bergman AM, Ackland SP (2000). "Basis for effective combination cancer chemotherapy with antimetabolites". Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 87 (2–3): 227–253. doi:10.1016/S0163-7258(00)00086-3. PMID 11008002.

[1] Smith AL (1997). Oxford dictionary of biochemistry and molecular biology. Oxford [Oxfordshire]: Oxford University Press. p. 43. ISBN 978-0-19-854768-6.

[2] Peters GJ, van der Wilt CL, van Moorsel CJ, Kroep JR, Bergman AM, Ackland SP (2000). "Basis for effective combination cancer chemotherapy with antimetabolites". Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 87 (2–3): 227–253. doi:10.1016/S0163-7258(00)00086-3. PMID 11008002.

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