Brivudine

Brivudine is a uridine derivative and nucleoside analog with pro-apoptotic and chemosensitizing properties. In vitro, bromovinyl-deoxyuridine (BVDU) has been shown to downregulate the multifunctional DNA repair enzyme APEX nuclease 1, resulting in the inhibition of DNA repair and the induction of apoptosis. Additionally, this agent may inhibit the expression of STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3), which may result in the downregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). BVDU has also been found to inhibit the upregulation of chemoresistance genes (Mdr1 and DHFR) during chemotherapy. Overall, the gene expression changes associated with BVDU treatment result in the decrease or prevention of chemoresistance. Additionally, this agent has been shown to enhance the cytolytic activity of NK-92 natural killer cells towards a pancreatic cancer cell line in vitro. It is grouped under the following drug class(es): DNA polymerase inhibitors and Nucleosides. Its therapeutic use is listed as antivirals. The directory classifies it as a commercial API with a synthetic source/manufacturing origin. Other names for this substance include Helpin, Zostex and Brivudina. Its PubChem CID is 446727.