What is the mechanism of action of carmustine?
Carmustine causes cross-links in DNA and RNA, leading to the inhibition of DNA synthesis, RNA production and RNA translation (protein synthesis). Carmustine also binds to and modifies (carbamoylates) glutathione reductase. This leads to cell death.
Is carmustine toxic?
The toxicity of carmustine is similar to other alkylating agents. Common side effects include alopecia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal upset, nephrotoxicity, oral ulcers and bone marrow suppression.
How often is carmustine given for brain tumor?
150 to 200 mg/m2 IV over at least 2 hours repeated every 6 weeks is recommended for single-agent carmustine; however, lower doses are recommended when carmustine is given in combination with other myelosuppressive drugs or in patients with depleted bone marrow reserve.
What drug classification is carmustine?
Carmustine is in a class of medications called alkylating agents. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells in your body.
Does carmustine cause hair loss?
Along with its needed effects, medicines like carmustine can sometimes cause some unwanted effects such as blood problems, loss of hair, and other side effects; these are described below.
What is carmustine made of?
Carmustine is an orange-yellow solid medication used mainly for chemotherapy. It is a nitrogen mustard β-chloro-nitrosourea compound.
How effective is carmustine?
The effectiveness of carmustine wafer was evaluated by RCTs, and the result showed that it could significantly increase OS by 2–4 months in newly diagnosed GBM patients (18, 19).
Is carmustine a chemo drug?
Carmustine is a chemotherapy drug and is also known by its brand name, BCNU. It is a treatment for brain tumours, non Hodgkin's lymphoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma. For adults with a type of brain tumour called glioma doctors might use a form of carmustine called Gliadel wafers.
Why carmustine is most often used to treat central nervous system neoplasms?
Pre-Clinical Studies. Carmustine (BCNU), a low-molecular weight alkylating agent, has well known activity against malignant gliomas. As it is lipophilic, BCNU can partially cross the BBB, and has been the most widely used chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of brain tumors to date.
Does carmustine cause delayed Myelotoxicity?
A serious and frequent adverse effect associated with systemic administration of carmustine is delayed hematologic toxicity, which is cumulative and usually occurs 4-6 weeks after administration of the drug.
Can brain tumor be cured by medicines?
Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill tumor cells. Chemotherapy drugs can be taken orally in pill form or injected into a vein (intravenously). The chemotherapy drug used most often to treat brain tumors is temozolomide (Temodar). Other chemotherapy drugs may be recommended depending on the type of cancer.
Which of the following is an irreversible long term side effects of intravenous carmustine?
Carmustine may cause serious pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis (a scarring and stiffening of the lung tissue), particularly when high doses have been received. These problems can develop months to years after treatment is completed and may be more common in people with pre-existing lung conditions.
Which of the following is a long term side effect of carmustine?
Carmustine may cause serious pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis (a scarring and stiffening of the lung tissue), particularly when high doses have been received. These problems can develop months to years after treatment is completed and may be more common in people with pre-existing lung conditions.
What is carmustine used to treat?
Carmustine is a chemotherapy drug and is also known by its brand name, BCNU. It is a treatment for brain tumours, non Hodgkin's lymphoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma. For adults with a type of brain tumour called glioma doctors might use a form of carmustine called Gliadel wafers.
Does carmustine cause spontaneous pneumothorax?
Pulmonary toxicity due to carmustine includes interstitial lung disease and pneumothorax.
Does carmustine cause delayed Myelotoxicity?
A serious and frequent adverse effect associated with systemic administration of carmustine is delayed hematologic toxicity, which is cumulative and usually occurs 4-6 weeks after administration of the drug.