Carustine

Carustine Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.

A cell-cycle phase nonspecific alkylating antineoplastic agent. It is used in the treatment of brain tumors and various other malignant neoplasms. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p462) This substance may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen according to the Fourth Annual Report on Carcinogens (NTP 85-002, 1985). (From Merck Index, 11th ed)

Carustine is one of the nitrosoureas indicated as palliative therapy as a single agent or in established combination therapy with other approved chemotherapeutic agents in treatment of brain tumors, multiple myeloma, Hodgkin's disease, and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Although it is generally agreed that carmustine alkylates DNA and RNA, it is not cross resistant with other alkylators. As with other nitrosoureas, it may also inhibit several key enzymatic processes by carbamoylation of amino acids in proteins.

Carustine
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Uses during Pregnancy
Uses during Breastfeeding
Accute Overdose
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Trade Name	Carustine
Availability	Prescription only
Generic	Carmustine
Carmustine Other Names	BCNU, bis-chloroethylnitrosourea, Bischloroethyl nitrosourea, Carmustina, Carmustine, Carmustinum
Related Drugs	methotrexate, Keytruda, rituximab, pembrolizumab, Rituxan, doxorubicin, cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, Revlimid, Avastin
Type
Formula	C₅H₉Cl₂N₃O₂
Weight	Average: 214.05 Monoisotopic: 213.007181961
Protein binding	80%
Groups	Approved, Investigational
Therapeutic Class
Manufacturer
Available Country
Last Updated:	September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am

Uses

Carustine is an alkylating agent used in the treatment of various malignancies, including brain tumours and multiple myeloma, among others.

For the treatment of brain tumors, multiple myeloma, Hodgkin's disease and Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Carustine is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Astrocytomas, Brain Stem Gliomas, Ependymomas, Glioblastomas, Medulloblastomas, Mycosis Fungoides (MF), Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme, Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma, Refractory Multiple Myeloma, Tumors Metastatic to Brain, High grade newly diagnosed Glioma, Refractory Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

How Carustine works

Carustine causes cross-links in DNA and RNA, leading to the inhibition of DNA synthesis, RNA production and RNA translation (protein synthesis). Carustine also binds to and modifies (carbamoylates) glutathione reductase. This leads to cell death.

Toxicity

The oral LD₅₀s in rat and mouse are 20 mg/kg and 45 mg/kg, respectively. Side effects include leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, nausea. Toxic effects include pulmonary fibrosis (20-0%) and bone marrow toxicity.