carmustine (Arbor Pharmaceuticals, LLC)

Carmustine wafer (marketed as Gliadel) is a synthetic, biodegradable implant containing the chemotherapeutic agent carmustine. The wafer is composed of a poly-anhydride copolymer (polifeprosan 20) and is designed to deliver high local concentrations of carmustine directly into the brain tumor resection cavity following surgical removal of malignant gliomas such as glioblastoma multiforme. Carmustine acts as an alkylating agent that binds to DNA and RNA, interfering with their function and preventing cancer cell division and growth, ultimately leading to cell death. The wafers gradually dissolve over several weeks, releasing the drug locally while minimizing systemic exposure[1][2][3][4][5][6].

Brand names

Gliadel

Other names

carmustine wafercarmustine implantpolifeprosan 20 with carmustinepolifeprosan20 with carmustinepolifeprosan-20 with carmustine