What is melphalan?

 Melphalan 

Melphalan is an antineoplastic agent, it is used in the treatment of several types of cancer. It is odorless or with faint odour white powder. Solluble in propylene glycol, slightly solluble in ethanol and insolluble in chloroform and ether. When heated to decomposition it emit toxic fumes of hydrogen chloride and nitrogen oxide. The moleculer weight of melphalan is 305.2 g/mol and melting point is 351⁰F (NTP,1992). It is also known as,Alkeran, Melfalan, Phenylalanine mustard, L-sarcelysin, Levofalan, Levopholan, Melphalum

■Structure:-

The moleculer formula of melphalan is,

                                                [C13H18Cl2N2O2]

The IUPAC name of melphalan is,

2-amino-3-[4-[bis(2-chloroethyl) amino]phenyl] propanoic acid

■Synthesis:-

■Mechanism of action:-

Melphalan is an antineoplastic and alkylating agent. It make a inter and intrastrand links of DNA. It attached with alkyl group to DNA bases which resulting in the DNA being fragmented by repair enzymes in their attempts to replace the alkylated bases,preventing DNA synthesis and RNA transcription from the affected area.

■Uses:-

It is used to treat different types of cancer like,

• Multiple myeloma.
• Ovarian cancer.
• Breast cancer.
• Testicular cancer.

■Dosage:-

For the treatment of multiple myeloma 0.5mg per kg per day for 7 days ,taken orally. If oral rout is not working than taken 16mg/meter square intravenously as a single infusion over 15-20 min for 2 weeks.

The usual adult dose for ovarian cancer is 0.2mg/kg/day for 5 days and repeated every 4-5 weeks.

The usual adult dose for breast cancer is 600mg intravenously per meter square with other antineoplastic agent. 

■Side-effects:-

The major Side-effects of melphalan is,

• Nausea and vomiting. 
• Hairless.
• Soreness of the mouth and the throat. 
• Bone marrow depression. 
• Diarrhea. 
• Changes in blood electrolyte.
• Rash.

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