chlorambucil

Chlorambucil is an oral chemotherapy drug classified as an alkylating agent and a derivative of nitrogen mustard. It is primarily used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), Hodgkin lymphoma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The drug works by alkylating and cross-linking DNA, thereby interfering with DNA replication, RNA transcription, and protein synthesis in cancer cells. This leads to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through mechanisms involving p53 accumulation and activation of pro-apoptotic proteins such as Bax. Chlorambucil also exhibits immunosuppressive activity by suppressing lymphocytes. It was originally developed by Glaxo (now part of GSK).

Brand names

Leukeran

Other names

ChlorambucilumChloraminopheneChlorbutinum