cyclophosphamide + etoposide + thiotepa

This is a combination chemotherapy regimen consisting of three cytotoxic agents—cyclophosphamide, etoposide, and thiotepa. Each drug has a distinct mechanism of action targeting rapidly dividing cancer cells:

• Cyclophosphamide is an alkylating agent that crosslinks DNA strands, leading to cell death.
• Etoposide is a topoisomerase II inhibitor that prevents DNA unwinding and replication.
• Thiotepa is another alkylating agent that introduces alkyl groups into DNA, causing strand breaks and apoptosis.

This combination has been used as part of high-dose conditioning regimens prior to autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplantation in hematologic malignancies such as lymphoma and leukemia. The regimen aims to eradicate malignant cells and suppress the immune system before transplantation. While not as widely standardized as some other regimens (e.g., BEAM or TECAM), it represents an alternative approach for patients requiring intensive myeloablative therapy.