Some Pyrimidines of Biological and Medicinal Interest—Part III

Abstract

This chapter lists some pyrimidines of biological and medicinal interest, including 5-hydroxypy rimidines, barbituric acid and its derivatives, aminohydroxypyrimidines, pyrimidine amino acids, and nitro and nitrosopyrimidines. The chapter also discusses pyrimidines containing biological alkylating functions. A large number of derivatives of the original nitrogen mustard and other biological akylating agents, such as ethylenimines and epoxides have been prepared as potential anticancer agents. The chapter further explains that the alkylating agents consist of a carrier and the alkylating group, and that differences in selectivity of action upon the tumour, or ability to reach the site of desired action, with minimum damage to the host, are dependent upon the carrier. The chapter also reviews that some pyrimidines containing two ethylenimine functions have also been found to possess anticancer activity. 2, 4-Bis (aziridinyl)-6-chloropyrimidine (CV, ethymidine, etimidin) significantly inhibits growth of many transplantable mouse and rat tumours. © 1971, Butterworth & Co. (Publishers) Ltd.