Definition

An extended release (ER) oral tablet that contains flucytosine (5-FC), a fluorinated cytosine analog, with antifungal activity and potential anti-cancer activity. Following oral administration of ER 5-FC, the 5-FC is deaminated to its active metabolite 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). 5-FU replaces uracil during RNA synthesis, which consequently inhibits downstream protein synthesis. In addition, 5-FU is metabolized further to 5-fluorodeoxyuridylic acid monophosphate, which inhibits thymidylate synthetase. Inhibition of this enzyme interrupts nucleotide synthesis, DNA replication and cell proliferation. Negative regulation of protein synthesis, DNA replication and cell proliferation can lead to cell death. Following ingestion of ER 5-FC, intravenous injection of a retroviral vector encoding cytosine deaminase (TC 511) at a tumor site may result in higher local concentrations of 5-FU and its metabolites, and increased tumor cell death than other 5-FU treatment regimens.