title: Focus on Fotemustine.
abstract: Fotemustine is a cytotoxic alkylating agent, belonging to the group of nitrosourea family. Its mechanism of action is similar to that of other nitrosoureas, characterized by a mono-functional/bi-functional alkylating activity. Worth of consideration is the finding that the presence of high levels of the DNA repair enzyme O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) in cancer cells confers drug resistance. In different clinical trials Fotemustine showed a remarkable antitumor activity as single agent, and in association with other antineoplastic compounds or treatment modalities. Moreover, its toxicity is generally considered acceptable. The drug has been employed in the treatment of metastatic melanoma, and, on the basis of its pharmacokinetic properties, in brain tumors, either primitive or metastatic. Moreover, Fotemustine shows pharmacodynamic properties similar to those of mono-functional alkylating compounds (e.g. DNA methylating drugs, such as Temozolomide), that have been recently considered for the management of acute refractory leukaemia. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that this agent could be a good candidate to play a potential role in haematological malignancies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Rossi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laudisi
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sini
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Toppo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marchesi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tortorelli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Turriziani
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aquino
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bonmassar
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Vecchis
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Torino
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004260:DNA Repair; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D006801:Humans; D023421:Models, Animal; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D009607:Nitrosourea Compounds / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009607:Nitrosourea Compounds; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; C054368:fotemustine