Identification of metabolites of 9-β-d-arabinofuranosyl-2-fluoroadenine, an antitumor and antiviral agent

Abstract Analysis of blood from a dog given a 400 mg/m 2 dose of 9-β- d -arabinofuranosyl-2-fluoroadenine (2-F-araA) led to the identification of parent drug and a major metabolite, 9-β- d -arabinofuranosyl-2-fluorohypoxanthine. 2-Fluoroadenine, a toxic derivative of 2-F-araA, was not detected in blood within the limits of detection, suggesting that parent drug was absorbed and distributed without systemic exposure to this toxic derivative. Parent drug, 2-fluoroadenine, and 9-β- d -arabinofuranosyl-2-fluorohypoxanthine were identified in urine of dog, monkey, and mouse.