A type of anticancer drug that is similar to a natural chemical compound called purine. Cells use purine to make the chemical building blocks of DNA and RNA. PNAs may kill cells, including cancer cells, by blocking important enzymes needed to make DNA and RNA and by damaging DNA. Some PNAs are used to treat certain types of leukemia and lymphoma. Also called purine nucleoside analog.
Search the Glossary of Medical Terms
Sign up for the QuackTrack.org newsletter below!