Mechlorethamine

Mechlorethamine (pronounced mek-lo-RE-tha-meen), also known as Nitrogen Mustard, is a type of chemotherapy drug used in the treatment of certain types of cancer. It belongs to a class of drugs known as alkylating agents.

Etymology

The term "Mechlorethamine" is derived from its chemical name, 2-chloro-N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-methylethanamine. It was first synthesized in the 1930s and was used as a chemical warfare agent during World War II. It was later found to have anti-cancer properties and was one of the first chemotherapy drugs to be used for the treatment of cancer.

Usage

Mechlorethamine is used in the treatment of several types of cancer, including Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, and lung cancer. It works by interfering with the growth of cancer cells, which are then destroyed by the body.

Related Terms

Chemotherapy: A type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells.
Alkylating agent: A type of chemotherapy drug that works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells to prevent them from dividing and growing.
Hodgkin's lymphoma: A type of cancer that originates from a specific type of white blood cells called lymphocytes.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: A group of cancers that originate from white blood cells.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow where too many blood stem cells become lymphocytes.
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: A type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that appears on the skin.
Lung cancer: A type of cancer that begins in the lungs.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Mechlorethamine
Wikipedia's article - Mechlorethamine

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Mechlorethamine