Pyrimidine, also known as 1,3-diazobenzene, is a heterocyclic compound with the chemical formula C4H4N2. Pyrimidine is formed by substituting 2 nitrogen atoms for 2 carbons in the meta-position of benzene. It is a diazine and retains its aromaticity. Derivatives of pyrimidine widely exist in organic macromolecular nucleic acids, and many drugs also contain pyrimidine rings. In nucleic acids, three nucleobases are pyrimidine derivatives: cytosine, thymine and uracil. There are a variety of pyrimidine-containing drugs on the market, most of which are kinase inhibitors.
Tovorafenib is a highly selective, brain-penetrating pan-RAF kinase inhibitor designed to target key enzymes in the MAPK signaling pathway. Tovorafenib has been granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of pediatric patients with low-grade gliomas harboring RAF mutations. The hope is to bring this therapy soon to children in need of new treatment options.