nimustine

Nimustine is a nitrosourea alkylating agent used primarily as an antineoplastic (anticancer) drug. It exerts its effect by alkylating and crosslinking DNA strands in tumor cells, leading to DNA fragmentation, inhibition of protein synthesis, and ultimately cell death. This mechanism makes it especially effective against malignant brain tumors such as glioblastoma and diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). Nimustine is typically administered intravenously or via direct intratumoral delivery (e.g., convection-enhanced delivery for brain tumors). It has been approved for use in Japan since 1979 and continues to be investigated in clinical trials for various cancers[1][4][7][8][10].

Brand names

ACNU

Other names

nimustine hydrochloride1-(4-amino-2-methyl-5-pyrimidinyl)methyl-3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosourea