Nitrosoureas are organic compounds containing the subunit , where R can be alkyl, aryl, or H. These compounds are formally derived by the attachment of a nitroso group (NO) to the nitrogen atom of a urea . Urea is a naturally occurring, innocuous compound, but the nitrosoureas are highly active biochemically. They are sometimes uses for DNA crosslinking.
Examples Examples include: Arabinopyranosyl-N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (Aranose) Carmustine (BCNU, BiCNU) Chlorozotocin Ethylnitrosourea (ENU) Fotemustine Lomustine (CCNU) Nimustine N-Nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU) Ranimustine (MCNU) Semustine Streptozocin (Streptozotocin)
Nitrosourea compounds are DNA alkylating agents and are often used in chemotherapy. They are lipophilic and thus can cross the blood–brain barrier, making them useful in the treatment of brain tumors such as glioblastoma multiforme.Takimoto CH, Calvo E. "Principles of oncologic pharmacotherapy". in Pazdur R, Wagman LD, Camphausen KA, Hoskins WJ (Eds) Cancer management: a multidisciplinary approach . 11 ed. 2008.
Side effects Some nitrosoureas (e.g. lomustine) have been associated with the development of interstitial lung disease.
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