Chlorambucil

Brand name: Leukeran®

IUPAC: 4-[4-[bis(2-chloroethyl)amino]phenyl]butanoic acid

FDA approval: Yes

Usage:

Chlorambucil is an alkylating agentA chemical that is able to transfer small hydrocarbons to other molecules. They can cause mutations due to their ability to modify nucleotides in DNA. that is used to treat a variety of cancer types. Malignancies for which chlorambucil is use include chronic lymphocytic leukemiaA cancer affecting the cells that develop into white or red blood cells. Both of these cell types originate from stem cells in bone marrow. Red blood cells function to carry oxygen to our tissues and the white cells (leukocytes) are part of our immune system. The cancerous cells often accumulate in the blood., lymphomas, Hodgkin's disease. Chlorambucil is usually administered as an intravenous infusion or in tablet form.1

Mechanism:

Aromatic analog of nitrogen mustard functions as a alkylating agentA chemical that is able to transfer small hydrocarbons to other molecules. They can cause mutations due to their ability to modify nucleotides in DNA. , which forms cross-links with DNAAbbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid. Composed of very long strings of nucleotides, which are abbreviated as A, C, G and T. DNA is the storage form of our genetic material. All of the instructions for the production of proteins are encoded in our DNA. . This leads to inhibition of DNA synthesis and activity on all phases of the cancer cell cycle.1

The diagram above shows the 3D molecular structure of Chlorambucil.

Side effects:

Common side effects include bone marrow suppression, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, oral ulcers. Less common side effects include tremors, twitching, seizures, other abnormal activity of the nervous system, and also changes in and allergic reactions of the skin. Chlorambucil should not be taken by women who are pregnant and patients should not become pregnant while using this drug, as it may have harmful affects on the developing fetus. This drug may also have negative effects on fertility in the years following treatment. Bone marrow depression is the most common toxicity associated with chlorambucil's usage. It is important to monitor the levels of white blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin. 1

1.a. b. Chu, E., & DeVita, V. T. (2015). Physicians' cancer chemotherapy drug manual 2015. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
2. Leukeran.. Prescribing Information. GlaxoSmithKline. 2016. [http://www.gsk.com]