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. 2020 Mar 2;19:50. doi: 10.1186/s12943-020-01169-7

Fig. 3.

Fig. 3

The metabolism and mechanisms of gemcitabine action. Gemcitabine plays an anticancer role after a series of phosphorylations in pancreatic cancer cells. Asterisks indicate that dFdCTP is the most active metabolite of gemcitabine that produces anticancer effects. Intermediates in gray ovals have anticancer functions. Long solid arrows represent shifts or bioconversions. Dotted arrows mean positive regulations, while dotted blunt ends mean negative regulations. dFdC, 2’,2’-difluorodeoxycytidine (gemcitabine); dFdCMP, 2’,2’-difluorodeoxycytidine 5’-monophosphate; dFdCDP, 2’,2’-difluorodeoxycytidine 5’-diphosphate; dFdCTP, 2’,2’-difluorodeoxycytidine 5’-triphosphate; dFdU, 2’,2’-difluorodeoxyuridine; dFdUMP, 2’,2’-difluorodeoxyuridine 5’-monophosphate; dFdUDP, 2’,2’-difluorodeoxyuridine 5’-diphosphate; dFdUTP, 2’,2’-difluorodeoxyuridine 5’-triphosphate; dUMP, deoxyuridine monophosphate; dTMP, deoxythymidine monophosphate; dTTP, deoxythymidine triphosphate; CDP, cytidine diphosphate; dCDP, deoxycytidine diphosphate; dCTP, deoxycytidine triphosphate; CDA, cytidine deaminase; dCK, deoxycytidine kinase; DCTD, deoxycytidylate deaminase; hNTs, human nucleosides transporters; NDPK, nucleoside diphosphate kinase; NMPK, nucleoside monophosphate kinase; RR, ribonucleotide reductase; TS, thymidylate synthase; 5’-NT, 5’-nucleotidase