antimetabolites
Last reviewed 01/2018
An antimetabolite is defined as a compound that interferes with the utilization of a natural metabolite by means of having a similar chemical structure. Antimetabolites are generally analogues of steroid hormones or nucleic acid precursors.
Nucleic acid and folate antimetabolites act by inhibition of DNA and/or RNA synthesis. Their mode of action therefore means that their toxic effects are most marked in rapidly proliferating tissues.