Drugs that disrupt DNA / Crosslinking agents
I. Crosslinking agents
Types (by chemical classification)
- Alkylating agents:
- Nitrogen mustards: CHLORAMBUCIL, CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE, IFOSFAMIDE, MECHLORETHAMINE, MELPHALAN
- Nitrosoureas: CARMUSTINE (BCNU), LOMUSTINE (CCNU)
- Others: BUSULFAN, DACARBAZINE, PROCARBAZINE, TEMOZOLAMIDE
- Platinum analogues: CARBOPLATIN, CISPLATIN, OXALOPLATIN
- Antibiotic: MITOMYCIN
MECHLORETHAMINE was the 1st alkylating agent to be used clinically. It is a derivative of mustard gas, a chemical warfare agent developed during World War I. Physicians treating soldiers realized that bone marrow suppression was a problem in people who managed to survive the initial vesicant effects.
There are many more alkylating agents than are included on your list of "drugs that you need to know".
Many alkylating agents have specific therapeutic uses e.g.,
- thiotepa for breast and ovarian cancer
- TEMOZOLAMIDE for brain cancers remember your last Neuro PBL case!