Description
Mechlorethamine is a nitrogen mustard DNA alkylator that binds and alkylates the N7 nitrogen on guanine and adenine bases in DNA. Mechlorethamine was initially developed as a blistering agent for use in chemical warfare but has since exhibited anticancer chemotherapeutic benefit. In vitro and in vivo, mechlorethamine forms a reactive aziridinium ion intermediate; it also can induce 5’-GNC-3’ DNA crosslinks. Additionally, this compound exhibits pro-oxidative activity, increasing levels of ROS and RNS in the treatment of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), inducing oxidative stress and apoptosis.