Is nitrogen mustard a carcinogen?

Is nitrogen mustard a carcinogen?

The nitrogen mustards are bifunctional alkylating agents which, although used extensively in cancer chemotherapy, are themselves highly carcinogenic. All nitrogen mustards induce monofunctional guanine-N7 adducts, as well as interstrand N7-N7 crosslinks involving the two guanines in GNC.

What is the trade name for nitrogen mustard?

Nitrogen Mustard, Mustine, and Mechlorethamine Hydrochloride are other names for Mechlorethamine. In some cases, health care professionals may use the trade name Mustargen or other names Nitrogen Mustard, Mustine, and Mechlorethamine Hydrochloride when referring to the generic drug name Mechlorethamine.

Where is nitrogen mustard used?

Abstract. Nitrogen mustards are among the blister agents/vesicants used in chemical warfare. HN-1 was originally designed to remove warts and later identified as a potential chemical warfare agent. HN-2 was designed as a military agent, but later used in cancer chemotherapy.

What does nitrogen mustard do to DNA?

Mechanism of action Nitrogen mustards (NMs) form cyclic aminium ions (aziridinium rings) by intramolecular displacement of the chloride by the amine nitrogen. This aziridinium group then alkylates DNA once it is attacked by the N-7 nucleophilic center on the guanine base.

Is bendamustine a nitrogen mustard?

Bendamustine (BM) is a nitrogen mustard used in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Is nitrogen mustard still used?

Nitrogen mustards are not found naturally in the environment. HN-1 originally was designed to remove warts but was later identified as a potential chemical warfare agent. HN-2 was designed as a military agent but was later used in cancer treatment. Other treatment agents now have replaced it.

Why are nitrogen mustards called mustards?

Nitrogen mustards are not related to the mustard plant or its pungent essence, allyl isothiocyanate; the name comes from the pungent smell of chemical weapons preparations.

Is an alkylating agent under nitrogen mustard?

The discovery of nitrogen mustard as an alkylating agent in 1942, opened a new era in the cancer chemotherapy. This valuable class of alkylating agent exerts its biological activity by binding to DNA, cross linking two strands, preventing DNA replication and ultimate cell death.

Is cyclophosphamide a nitrogen mustard?

Other nitrogen mustards developed include cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, uramustine, melphalan, and bendamustine. Bendamustine has recently re-emerged as a viable chemotherapeutic treatment. Nitrogen mustards that can be used for chemical warfare purposes are tightly regulated.

What is nitrogen mustard?

Nitrogen mustards were produced in the 1920s and 1930s as potential chemical warfare weapons. They are vesicants (or blister agents) similar to the sulfur mustards. Nitrogen mustards come in different forms that can smell fishy, musty, soapy, or fruity.

Is mustard a solid liquid or gas?

Nitrogen mustards come in different forms that can smell fishy, musty, soapy, or fruity. They can be in the form of an oily-textured liquid, a vapor (the gaseous form of a liquid), or a solid. Nitrogen mustards are liquids at normal room temperature (70ºF).

What are the signs and symptoms of nitrogen mustard exposure?

Immediate signs and symptoms of nitrogen mustard exposure. Depending on the severity of the exposure, symptoms may not occur for several hours. Nitrogen mustards can have the following effects on specific parts of the body: Skin: redness usually develops within several hours after exposure followed by blistering within 6 to 12 hours.

Is there an antidote for nitrogen mustard exposure?

Because no antidote exists for nitrogen mustard exposure, the best thing to do is avoid it. If the nitrogen mustard release was indoors, get out of the building. If the release was outdoors, move away from the area of the release, stay upwind if possible, and seek higher ground.