Z-360

A selective, orally available, 1,5-benzodiazepine-derivative gastrin/cholecystokinin 2 (CCK-2) receptor antagonist with potential antineoplastic activity. Z-360 binds to the gastrin/CCK-2 receptor, thereby preventing receptor activation by gastrin, a peptide hormone frequently associated with the proliferation of gastrointestinal and pancreatic tumor cells.

Zactima

(Other name for: vandetanib)

zalcitabine

A synthetic dideoxynucleoside. After intracellular phosphorylation to its active metabolite, zalcitabine preferentially inhibits the gamma form of DNA polymerase present in tumor cell mitochondria, resulting in the inhibition of tumor cell mitochondrial DNA replication and tumor cell death.

zalutumumab

A fully human IgG1 monoclonal antibody directed against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) with potential antineoplastic activity. Zalutumumab selectively binds to the EGFR receptor and blocks receptor binding of EGF and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-a), which results in the disruption of EGFR-mediated cell signaling, cell growth inhibition and apoptosis in EGFR-expressing tumor cells. In addition, this agent triggers antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) in EGFR-expressing cells. EGFR is a cell surface receptor tyrosine kinase, overexpressed on many cancer cells.

Zalypsis

(Other name for: PM00104)

zanamivir

A sialic acid-analogue neuraminidase inhibitor with antiviral activity. Administered into the respiratory tract by aerosol inhalation, zanamivir selectively binds to and inhibits influenza A and B virus neuraminidase-mediated cleavage of sialic acid residues in host cell membrane-bound glycoprotein receptors for influenza viruses, preventing the release of progeny viruses from host cell surfaces and, so, further viral replication.

Zanosar

(Other name for: streptozocin)

Zarnestra

(Other name for: tipifarnib)

ZD6126

A water-soluble phosphate prodrug of N-acetylcolchinol with potential antiangiogenesis and antineoplastic activities. ZD6126 is converted in vivo into N-acetylcolchinol. N-acetylcolchinol binds to and destabilizes the tubulin cytoskeleton of endothelial cells in tumor blood vessels, which may result in tumor endothelial cel apoptosis, the selective occlusion of tumor blood vessels, cessation of tumor blood flow, and tumor necrosis.

Zemplar

(Other name for: paricalcitol)

Zenapax

(Other name for: daclizumab)

Zerit

(Other name for: stavudine)

Zestril

(Other name for: lisinopril)

Zevalin

(Other name for: yttrium Y 90 ibritumomab tiuxetan)

zibotentan

An orally available selective antagonist of the endothelin-A (ET-A) receptor with potential antineoplastic activity. Zibotentan binds selectively to the ET-A receptor, thereby inhibiting endothelin-mediated mechanisms that promote tumor cell proliferation.

ziconotide

A synthetic, nonopiod, twenty-five amino acid polybasic peptide analogue of an omega-conotoxin derived from the marine snail Conus magus with analgesic activity. Ziconotide appears to block neuronal N-type voltage-sensitive calcium channels (NCCB), inhibiting transmission from pain-sensing primary nociceptors. This agent may exhibit significant analgesic activity in refractory pain.

zidovudine

A synthetic dideoxynucleoside. After intracellular phosphorylation to its active metabolite, zidovudine inhibits DNA polymerase, resulting in the inhibition of DNA replication and cell death. This agent also decreases levels of available pyrimidines.

zileuton

A synthetic derivative of hydroxyurea with antiasthmatic properties. The leukotriene inhibitor zileuton blocks 5-lipoxygenase, which catalyzes the formation of leukotrienes from arachidonic acid; causes bronchodilation; decreases bronchial mucous secretion and edema; and may prevent or decrease the symptoms of asthma.

zinc sulfate

A salt of the essential trace metal zinc. Zinc is involved in tissue repair and is an important constituent of some proteins, including those involved in taste and smell. Zinc sulfate supplementation may prevent radiation-induced aguesia.

Zinecard

(Other name for: dexrazoxane hydrochloride)

zinostatin

An enediyne antineoplastic antibiotic hybrid containing an aminoglycoside chromophore. Zinostatin is isolated from the bacterium Streptomyces carzinostaticus. The aminoglycoside component of zinostatin intercalates into DNA and the benzene diradical intermediate of the enediyne core binds to the minor groove of DNA, resulting in single- and double-strand breaks in DNA and apoptosis.

Zipan

(Other name for: promethazine hydrochloride)

zirconium Zr 89 bevacizumab

A radioimmunoconjugate comprised of the recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody bevacizumab labeled with the radioisotope zirconium Zr 89 (Zr 89) with radioisotopic activity and potential imaging use. The antibody moiety of zirconium Zr 89 bevacizumab targets and binds to the extracellular domain of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR). Upon binding, the radioisotope moiety may be detected using positron emission tomography (PET), allowing the imaging and quantification of VEGFR-expressing tumor cells. VEGFR, a tyrosine kinase, is overexpressed on the cell surfaces of various tumor cell types.

zirconium Zr 89 cetuximab

A radioimmunoconjugate comprised of the recombinant chimeric monoclonal antibody cetuximab labeled with the radioisotope zirconium Z 89 (Zr 89) with radioisotopic activity and potential imaging use. The antibody moiety of zirconium Zr 89 cetuximab binds to the extracellular domain of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Upon binding, the radioisotope moiety may be detected using positron emission tomography (PET), allowing the imaging and quantification of EGFR-expressing tumor cells. EGFR is a tyrosine kinase that may be overexpressed on the cell surfaces of various tumor cell types.

Zocor

(Other name for: simvastatin)

Zofran

(Other name for: ondansetron)

Zoladex

(Other name for: goserelin)

zoledronic acid

A synthetic imidazole bisphosphonate analog of pyrophosphate with anti-bone-resorption activity. A third-generation bisphosphonate, zoledronic acid binds to hydroxyapatite crystals in the bone matrix, slowing their dissolution and inhibiting the formation and aggregation of these crystals. This agent also inhibits farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, an enzyme involved in terpenoid biosynthesis. Inhibition of this enzyme prevents the biosynthesis of isoprenoid lipids, donor substrates of farnesylation and geranylgeranylation during the post-translational modification of small GTPase signalling proteins, which are important in the process of osteoclast turnover. Decreased bone turnover and stabilization of the bone matrix contribute to the analgesic effect of zoledronic acid with respect to painful osteoblastic lesions. The agent also reduces serum calcium concentrations associated with hypercalcemia.

Zolinza

(Other name for: vorinostat)

Zoloft

(Other name for: sertraline hydrochloride)

zolpidem tartrate

The tartrate salt of an imidazopyridine with non-benzodiazepine benzodiazepine-receptor agonist and sedative-hypnotic activities. Zolpidem binds selectively to the alpha 1 subunit of the omega-1 (BZ1) receptor of the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA-A ) receptor-chloride ionophore complex, thereby opening neuronal chloride channels, hyperpolarizing neuronal cell membranes, and inhibiting neuronal firing. In contrast, benzodiazepines non-selectively bind to and activate all omega receptor subtypes, exhibiting anticonvulsant and myorelaxant activities in addition to a sedative-hypnotic activity.

Zometa

(Other name for: zoledronic acid)

zorubicin

A benzoyl-hydrazone derivative of the anthracycline antineoplastic antibiotic daunorubicin. Zorubicin intercalates into DNA and interacts with topoisomerase II, thereby inhibiting DNA replication and repair and RNA and protein synthesis.

zosuquidar trihydrochloride

A difluorocyclopropyl quinoline. Zosuquidar trihydrochloride binds with high affinity to P-glycoprotein and inhibits P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance (MDR). P-glycoprotein, encoded by the MDR-1 gene, is a member of the ATP-binding cassette superfamily of transmembrane transporters and prevents the intracellular accumulation of many natural product-derived cytotoxic agents.

Zovirax

(Other name for: acyclovir)

Zyban

(Other name for: bupropion hydrochloride)

ZYBRESTAT

(Other name for: fosbretabulin disodium)

ZYC300

A plasmid DNA encoding an inactivated form of the carcinogen activator cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) encapsulated in biodegradable poly-DL-lactide-coglycolide microparticles with potential antineoplastic activity. Vaccination with ZYC300 may stimulate the immune system to elicit a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response against the tumor-associated antigen (TAA) CYP1B1, which may result in the lysis of tumor cells expressing CYP1B1. CYP1B1, an extrahepatic monooxygenase of the cytochrome P450 family, is overexpressed in many cancers with only restricted expression in normal tissues.

Zyflo

(Other name for: zileuton)

Zyloprim

(Other name for: allopurinol)

Zyprexa

(Other name for: olanzapine)