MeSH

An alkylating agent in cancer therapy that may also act as a mutagen by interfering with and causing damage to DNA.

Year introduced: 1980(1975)

A class of drugs that differs from other alkylating agents used clinically in that they are monofunctional and thus unable to cross-link cellular macromolecules. Among their common properties are a requirement for metabolic activation to intermediates with antitumor efficacy and the presence in their chemical structures of N-methyl groups, that after metabolism, can covalently modify cellular DNA. The precise mechanisms by which each of these drugs acts to kill tumor cells are not completely understood. (From AMA, Drug Evaluations Annual, 1994, p2026)

Year introduced: 1996

Chemical agents that increase the rate of genetic mutation by interfering with the function of nucleic acids. A clastogen is a specific mutagen that causes breaks in chromosomes.

Year introduced: 1966(1965)

The generic name for the group of aliphatic hydrocarbons Cn-H2n+2. They are denoted by the suffix -ane. (Grant and Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed)

Year introduced: 1966

Organic esters or salts of sulfonic acid derivatives containing an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical.

Year introduced: 1994

Sulfonic acid derivatives that are substituted with an aliphatic hydrocarbon group.

Year introduced: 1994

Inorganic or organic compounds that contain sulfur as an integral part of the molecule.

Year introduced: 1998

Inorganic or organic acids that contain sulfur as an integral part of the molecule.

Year introduced: 1994

Inorganic or organic oxy acids of sulfur which contain the RSO2(OH) radical.

A broad class of substances containing carbon and its derivatives. Many of these chemicals will frequently contain hydrogen with or without oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, and other elements. They exist in either carbon chain or carbon ring form.

Year introduced: 1998

Organic salts or esters of methanesulfonic acid.

Year introduced: 1994

Organic compounds composed exclusively of carbon and hydrogen where no carbon atoms join to form a ring structure.

Year introduced: 1998

Organic compounds that primarily contain carbon and hydrogen atoms with the carbon atoms forming a linear or circular structure.

Agents capable of exerting a harmful effect on the body.

Year introduced: 1998

Highly reactive chemicals that introduce alkyl radicals into biologically active molecules and thereby prevent their proper functioning. Many are used as antineoplastic agents, but most are very toxic, with carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, and immunosuppressant actions. They have also been used as components in poison gases.

Year introduced: 1966(1964)

Substances that inhibit or prevent the proliferation of NEOPLASMS.

A broad category of chemical actions with harmful or deadly effect on living organisms.

Year introduced: 2004(1998)

Uses of chemicals which affect the course of conditions, diseases, syndromes or pathology to benefit the health of an individual.

Year introduced: 2004

A group of pharmacologic activities, effects on living systems and the environment, and modes of employment of drugs and chemicals. They are broken into actions, which describe their effects, and uses, which describe how they are employed.

Year introduced: 1999

A broad category of chemical actions and uses that result in the prevention, treatment, cure or diagnosis of disease. Included here are drugs and chemicals that act by altering normal body functions, such as the REPRODUCTIVE CONTROL AGENTS and ANESTHETICS. Effects of chemicals on the environment are also included.

Year introduced: 2004(1999)