Azathioprine (INN /ˌæzəˈθaɪɵpriːn/ abbreviated AZA) is an immunosuppressive drug used in organ transplantation and autoimmune diseases and belongs to the chemical class of purine analogues. Synthesized originally as a cancer drug and a prodrug for mercaptopurine in 1957 it has been widely used as an immunosuppressant for more than 50 years.Azathioprine acts as a prodrug for mercaptopurine inhibiting an enzyme that is required for the synthesis of DNA.
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