Cyclophosphamide

Cyclophosphamide

Clinical Purpose

Cyclophosphamide is a drug used in cancer chemotherapyów. It is a pharmacologically inactive pro-drug thatós converted in the liver to active metabolitesówith anticancer activity. Metabolites of cyclophosphamide exhibit alkylating activity against biological macromolecules, in particularólity against DNA nucleic acid. Alkylation causes structural changes and fragmentation of DNA chains, disruption of protein synthesis and, as a result, prevents cell division. These changes lead to cell deathórk. The effect of cyclophosphamide especially affects rapidly dividing cells, such as cancer cells, due to which the growth and development of the tumor is reduced. Adverse effects of cyclophosphamide use include inhibition of bone marrow hematopoietic function, resulting in leukopenia/neutropenia and other hematological disorders (e.g. thrombocytopenia, anemia). The drug also has cardiotoxic effects, and drug metabolites excreted in the urine have bladder toxicity.

Patient Preparation

Material: Serum