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NCI Drug Dictionary


cimetidine 
A histamine H(2)-receptor antagonist. Enhancing anti-tumor cell-mediated responses, cimetidine blocks histamine's ability to stimulate suppressor T lymphocyte activity and to inhibit natural killer (NK) cell activity and interleukin-2 production. Cimetidine also may inhibit tumor growth by suppressing histamine's growth-factor activity and blocking histamine-induced stimulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a pro-angiogenic growth factor. Check for active clinical trials or closed clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)
US brand name:Tagamet
Chemical structure:N-cyano-N'-methyl-N''-[2-[[(5-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)methyl]thio]ethyl]guanidine