Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of antineoplastic drug: An alkylating agent is a chemical compound used in chemotherapy to treat cancer. It works by adding an alkyl group to the DNA of cancer cells, which damages the DNA and prevents the cells from dividing and growing.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The oncologist prescribed an alkylating agent to combat the patient's lymphoma.
  • Cyclophosphamide is a well-known alkylating agent used in various chemotherapy regimens.
  • Due to its mechanism, an alkylating agent can affect both cancerous and healthy rapidly dividing cells.

Advanced Usage

• "Classical alkylating agent": Refers to traditional drugs like nitrogen mustards that directly alkylate DNA.
  • Nitrogen mustards are considered classical alkylating agents.
• "Alkylating agent resistance": Describes when cancer cells become less responsive to this class of drugs.
  • The development of alkylating agent resistance is a significant challenge in treatment.

Variants and Related Words

• Alkylate (verb): To introduce an alkyl group into a compound.
  • These drugs function by their ability to alkylate DNA.
• Alkylation (noun): The chemical process of introducing an alkyl group.
  • DNA alkylation is the primary mechanism of action for these agents.

Synonyms

• Cytotoxic agent: A substance that is toxic to cells, often used in a similar context for cancer drugs.
• Chemotherapeutic drug: A broader term for medications used in chemotherapy.

Related Phrases

• Exposure to alkylating agents: Refers to contact with these drugs, which can be a risk factor for certain side effects.
  • Prolonged exposure to alkylating agents can increase the risk of secondary cancers.

Noun

1. an antineoplastic drug used to treat some forms of cancer