9-Ethyl 6-Mercaptopurine

**Semantic type:** Nucleic Acid, Nucleoside, or Nucleotide|Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** A synthetic alkyl derivative prodrug of the antineoplastic agent 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP). In vivo, 9-ethyl 6-mercaptopurine appears to be converted to 6-MP, which substitutes for the normal nucleoside and fraudulently incorporates into DNA and inhibits de novo purine synthesis, thereby inducing cell death. (NCI04)

**Synonyms:** - 9-Ethyl 6-MP