melphalan hydrochloride

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ONC-005239",
  "term": "melphalan hydrochloride",
  "field": "Oncology and biomedicine",
  "definitions": [
    "A drug used to treat certain types of multiple myeloma and uveal melanoma (a type of eye cancer). An infusion of one form of melphalan hydrochloride is used as palliative therapy to treat multiple myeloma in patients who cannot take melphalan by mouth. Other forms of melphalan hydrochloride are used under the brand name Evomela to prepare patients with multiple myeloma for a stem cell transplant and under the brand name Hepzato to treat adults with uveal melanoma that has spread to less than half of the liver and cannot be removed by surgery. Hepzato is given as an infusion directly into an artery that leads to the liver. Melphalan hydrochloride is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. It may kill cancer cells by damaging their DNA and stopping them from dividing. Melphalan hydrochloride is a type of alkylating agent.",
    "A bifunctional alkylating agent and phenylalanine derivative of nitrogen mustard. Melphalan hydrochloride is converted into highly reactive ethylenimmonium intermediates that induce covalent guanine N7-N7 intra- and inter-crosslinks and alkylation of adenine N3 of DNA. This agent also alkylates RNA and protein structures. As a result RNA transcription and protein synthesis are inhibited, ultimately leading to cell growth arrest and/or death."
  ],
  "references": [
    "NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms",
    "National Cancer Institute Thesaurus"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/oncology/melphalan-hydrochloride/"
}