triethylenemelamine

Triethylenemelamine (tretamine) is a synthetic small molecule alkylating agent belonging to the triazine class. It acts as an antineoplastic (anticancer) agent and has been used experimentally in cancer chemotherapy. Its mechanism of action involves alkylation of DNA through its aziridine groups—this leads to cross-linking and damage of DNA strands which inhibits cell division and induces apoptosis in rapidly dividing cells such as cancer cells. Tretamine is also a potent mutagen and has been widely used as a positive control in mutagenicity assays for research purposes. Additionally it has roles as an insect sterilant and chemosterilant[8][6]. It was originally developed by Lederle Laboratories in the United States around 1954[6].

Other names

tretaminetretaminumtretaminatriaethylenmelamintrisaziridinyltriazine2,4,6-tri(1-aziridinyl)-1,3,5-triazine