n. a drug that requires metabolism in the liver before becoming biologically active. Examples are *carbimazole, which is metabolized to the pharmacologically active compound methimazole; and *capecitabine, which is metabolized to *fluorouracil.
n. antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy: a method under development for the treatment of cancer. It involves the patient being injected first with an antibody-enzyme complex that binds specifically to tumour cells, and later with a *prodrug that is inactive until it comes into contact with the antibody-enzyme complex. The enzyme converts the prodrug into a cytotoxic form, which is concentrated around the tumour and can therefore destroy the cancer cells without damaging normal tissue.... adept
n. a *thionamide used to reduce the production of thyroid hormone in cases of overactivity of the gland (thyrotoxicosis). A prodrug, it is converted to its biologically active metabolite, methimazole, within the body. Gastrointestinal upsets, rashes, and itching may occur; more rarely, carbimazole may cause *myelosuppression.... carbimazole
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