Melphalan (Alkeran)
General information
Class/mechanism: Nitrogen mustard, alkylator. Melphalan is a bischloroethylamine alkylating agent that crosslinks DNA by binding at the N7 position of guanine, with activity against resting and proliferating cells.[1][2]
Route: IV, PO
Extravasation: irritant or neutral, depending on reference
For conciseness and simplicity, HemOnc.org currently will focus on treatment regimens and not list information such as: renal/hepatic dose adjustments, metabolism (including CYP450), excretion, monitoring parameters (although this will be considered for checklists), or manufacturer. Instead, for the most current information, please refer to your preferred pharmacopeias such as Micromedex, Lexicomp, UpToDate (courtesy of Lexicomp), or the prescribing information.[1]
Diseases for which it is used
- Acute promyelocytic leukemia
- CNS lymphoma
- Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
- Ewing sarcoma
- Follicular lymphoma
- HIV-associated lymphoma
- Hodgkin lymphoma
- Light-chain (AL) amyloidosis
- Mantle cell lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Plasma cell leukemia
Patient drug information
- Melphalan (Alkeran) patient drug information (Chemocare)[3]
- Melphalan (Alkeran) patient drug information (UpToDate)[4]
History of changes in FDA indication
- 1/17/1964: Initial FDA approval[5]
Also known as
- Generic names: L-PAM, L-Sacrolysin, L-Sarcolysin, MPL, phenylalanine mustard
- Brand names: Alkeran, Alkerana, Levofolan, Melfalan
References
- Drugs
- Intravenous medications
- Oral medications
- Irritant chemotherapy
- Neutral chemotherapy
- Alkylating agents
- Nitrogen mustards
- Acute promyelocytic leukemia medications
- CNS lymphoma medications
- Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma medications
- Ewing sarcoma medications
- Follicular lymphoma medications
- HIV-associated lymphoma medications
- Hodgkin lymphoma medications
- Light-chain (AL) amyloidosis medications
- Mantle cell lymphoma medications
- Multiple myeloma medications
- Plasma cell leukemia medications
- FDA approved in 1964