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Dictionary » Alkylating agent

Alkylating agent

Introduction: Alkylating agent

Description of Alkylating agent

Alkylating agent: a drug or chemical that, through the formation of covalent bonds, forms a derivatized tissue constituent permanently containing part of the drug or chemical compound; frequently carcinogenic and mutagenic, but often used in the chemotherapy of cancer (e.g., nitrogen mustards and carmustine).
Source: Stedman's Medical Spellchecker, © 2006 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Alkylating agent: A drug that is used in the treatment of cancer. It interferes with the cell's DNA and inhibits cancer cell growth.
Source: National Institute of Health

Alkylating agent: Agents that add alkyl groups to nucleophilic moieties through covalent linkages and exhibit cytotoxic effects through the alkylation of DNA.
Source: Diseases Database

Alkylating agent: chemical agent that can add alkyl groups (for example, ethyl or methyl groups) to another molecule; many mutagens act through alkylation.
Source: CRISP

Alkylating agent: 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.
Source: MeSH 2007