Enhanced Tumor Selectivity of 5-Fluorouracil Using a Reactive Oxygen Species-Activated Prodrug Approach

We report the design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel 5-fluorouracil (5FU) prodrugs 1a,1b that are efficiently activated by the high level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cancer cells. Prodrugs 1a,1b selectively kill cancer cells over normal cells and are well-tolerated in mice. The strategy described herein can extend application of chemotherapeutic drugs.