6-MP is a chemotherapy medicine.

It belongs to a group called antimetabolites.

It is mainly used in treating certain blood cancers and in immune-related diseases.

Mechanism 

• 6-MP is converted in the body into active forms that look like DNA building blocks.

• When cancer or immune cells try to use these “false building blocks” to make DNA, the process gets blocked.

• This stops the cells from multiplying and causes them to die.

  Uses

  • Cancers:

    • Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)

  • Non-cancer uses (as an immunosuppressant):

    • Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)

    • Autoimmune diseases (in some cases)

      Adverse Effects 

      Common:

      • Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite

      • Tiredness, weakness

      • Low blood counts (anemia, low WBC, low platelets) → higher risk of infection and bleeding

      • Mouth sores