MeDZQ

MeDZQ (3,6-dimethyl-2,5-diaziridinyl-1,4-benzoquinone) is an experimental small molecule bioreductive alkylating agent investigated for its anti-tumor properties. It belongs to the aziridinylbenzoquinone class of compounds and specifically targets tumors overexpressing the enzyme NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). NQO1 facilitates the two-electron reduction of MeDZQ into a potent DNA-crosslinking species, leading to tumor cell death. While MeDZQ demonstrated improved pharmacokinetic stability compared to its analog EO9 (apaziquone) and showed moderate efficacy in preclinical tumor xenograft models, it primarily served as a structural lead for the development of more water-soluble and clinically viable analogs such as RH1.

Other names

2,5-diaziridinyl-1,4-benzoquinone3,6-dimethyl-2,5-diaziridinyl-1,4-benzoquinone2,5-bis(1-aziridinyl)-3,6-dimethyl-1,4-benzoquinone