A small-molecule prodrug of CEP-8983, a novel 4-methoxy-carbazole inhibitor of the nuclear enzymes poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) 1 and 2, with potential antineoplastic activity. Upon administration and conversion from CEP-9722, CEP-8983 selectively binds to PARP 1 and 2, preventing repairof damaged DNA via base excision repair (BER). This agent enhances the accumulation of DNA strand breaks and promotes genomic instability and apoptosis. CEP-8983 may potentiate the cytotoxicity of DNA-damaging agents and reverse tumor cell chemo- and radioresistance. PARP catalyzes post-translational ADP-ribosylation of nuclear proteins that signal and recruit otherproteins to repair damaged DNA and can be activated by single strand breaks in DNA. Check for active clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)