Definition

Noun: 1. A chemotherapy medication: Procarbazine is an antineoplastic (anti-cancer) drug. It is primarily used in the treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system.

Usage

Procarbazine is used as part of combination chemotherapy regimens. It is not used alone but is combined with other drugs for greater effectiveness. * The patient's treatment plan includes a cycle of procarbazine, vincristine, and prednisone. * A common side effect of procarbazine is bone marrow suppression, which can lower blood cell counts.

Advanced Usage

• Mechanism of Action: Procarbazine works by inhibiting the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and proteins, which prevents cancer cells from growing and multiplying.
  • The cytotoxic effect of procarbazine is due to its ability to cause DNA strand breaks.
• MAOI Activity: Procarbazine has monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) properties. This requires patients to follow a specific diet low in tyramine and avoid certain medications to prevent dangerous interactions.
  • Because procarbazine is an MAOI, patients must avoid aged cheeses and decongestants during treatment.

Variants and Related Words

• Matulane®: A brand name for procarbazine.
  • The prescription was written for Matulane®.
• Antineoplastic: (adjective/noun) A general term for drugs that inhibit or prevent the growth and spread of cancer cells.
• Alkylating Agent: A classification for a type of chemotherapy drug that works by adding an alkyl group to DNA. Procarbazine is metabolized into compounds with alkylating activity.

Synonyms

• Cytotoxic drug: A drug that is toxic to cells, especially cancer cells.
• Chemotherapeutic agent: A substance used in chemotherapy.

Related Terms and Phrases

• MOPP regimen: A historic combination chemotherapy regimen for Hodgkin's disease that includes Mechlorethamine, Oncovin (vincristine), Procarbazine, and Prednisone.
  • The MOPP protocol was a standard treatment for decades.
• BEACOPP regimen: A modern, dose-intensive chemotherapy regimen for Hodgkin's lymphoma that includes Bleomycin, Etoposide, Doxorubicin (Adriamycin), Cyclophosphamide, Oncovin (vincristine), Procarbazine, and Prednisone.

Noun

1. an antineoplastic drug used to treat Hodgkin's disease