Capecitabine is a prodrug of which drug?

Capecitabine is indeed a prodrug of 5-fluorouracil (5FU). This means that once capecitabine is administered, it undergoes metabolic conversion in the body to become 5-fluorouracil, which is an active chemotherapeutic agent. Capecitabine is orally bioavailable, allowing for convenient administration, and once converted to 5FU, it inhibits thymidylate synthase, an enzyme crucial for DNA synthesis. This action leads to reduced DNA replication and ultimately affects cancer cell growth and proliferation.

Understanding the role of capecitabine as a prodrug is significant in oncology as it highlights its effectiveness in treating various cancers, such as colorectal and breast cancer, by leveraging the actions of 5-fluorouracil while also allowing for easier dosing and potentially improved patient compliance compared to intravenous 5FU.