tcsc2241 Azathioprine

Azathioprine(Azasan, Imuran; BW 57-322) is a drug that suppresses the immune system and is used in organ transplantation and autoimmune disease.

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Azathioprine is an immunosuppressive antimetabolite pro-drug. It is an imidazolyl derivative of 6-mercaptopurine and many of its biological effects are similar to those of the parent compound. Azathioprine is converted into 6-mercaptopurine in the body where it blocks purine metabolism and DNA synthesis. Thus it most strongly affects proliferating cells, such as the T cells and B cells of the immune system. The main adverse effect of azathioprine is bone marrow suppression, which can be life-threatening, especially in people with a genetic deficiency of the enzyme thiopurine S-methyltransferase. It is also listed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a Group 1 carcinogen (carcinogenic to humans) [1-3].