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Hematology

Carmustine medac

Product Description

Carmustine is an alkylating agent used in the treatment of various malignancies, including brain tumours and multiple myeloma, among others. These drugs work by interfering with the DNA in cancer cells. The cells can’t divide into two new cells so the cancer can’t grow. Carmustine is part of the medications in BEAM therapy (Carmustin/Etoposid/ARA-C/Melphalan) which is commonly given as the conditioning regimen for patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma or Hodgkin lymphoma.

Active Ingredient

Carmustine

Mode of Action

Carmustine (bis-chloroethylnitrosourea, BCNU) belongs to the group of nitrosoureas and is used as an alkylating cytostatic agent in cancer therapy. This means that carmustine induces cytostatic action by directly binding to DNA and the inhibition of different DNA and RNA enzymes. As a result, normal DNA and RNA function and repair is impaired. Carmustine has the advantage of crossing the blood-brain barrier so that cancer cells that persist in the central nervous system can also be eliminated.

Carmustine is an important component of high-dose therapy in autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for the treatment of lymphoma patients. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Hämato-Onkologie (German society for haematology and oncology, DGHO) considers carmustine an essential drug in the context of conditioning treatment prior to haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Indication

  • Brain tumours (glioblastoma, Brain-stem gliomas, medulloblastoma, astrocytoma and
    ependymoma), brain metastases
  • Secondary therapy in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Hodgkin’s disease
  • Tumours of the gastrointestinal tract
  • Malignant melanoma in combination with other antineoplastic drugs
  • Conditioning treatment prior to autologous haematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation
    (HPCT) in malignant haematological diseases (Hodgkin’s disease / Non-hodgkin’s
    lymphoma)

Dosage

Powder and solvent for concentrate for solution for infusion:

  • 100 mg

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Materials

Abbreviated product information

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