tegafur + uracil

Tegafur + uracil is an oral chemotherapy combination used primarily for the treatment of colorectal (bowel) cancer. It consists of two components in a 1:4 molar ratio: tegafur, a prodrug that is converted in the liver to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and uracil, which inhibits dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), the enzyme responsible for degrading 5-FU. This inhibition increases and prolongs systemic exposure to active 5-FU, enhancing its cytotoxic effects on tumor cells. The active metabolites of 5-FU inhibit thymidylate synthase, disrupting DNA synthesis, and are incorporated into RNA, interfering with RNA function—both leading to tumor cell death. Tegafur + uracil was developed by Taiho Pharmaceutical as an alternative to intravenous fluorouracil therapy with improved oral bioavailability and reduced gastrointestinal toxicity[1][2][3][4][6].

Brand names

Uftoral

Other names

tegafur/uraciltegafur-uracil