What is an alkylating agent in chemotherapy?

These possess chemical groups that have the ability to permanently form covalent bonds with the nucleophobic materials found in DNA.

Alkyl sulfonates, triazines, nitrosoureas, nitrogen mustards, and ethylenimines are the five main types of alkylating agents.

Cancer cells are more susceptible to DNA damage, such as being alkylated, because they divide more quickly and with less error correction than healthy cells. Alkylating agents attach an alkyl group to the guanine base of DNA, at the 7 nitrogen atom of the purine ring.

Alkylating agents are thus used in chemotherapy for various cancer types; however, they are also toxic to normal cells, especially those that divide frequently, like those in the ovaries, bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, and testicles, which can result in infertility.

The majority of alkylating agents cause cancer as well.

An alkylating agent is a type of chemotherapy drug that works by attaching an alkyl group to DNA, causing damage to the DNA strands and interfering with the cell's ability to replicate. This leads to cell death, particularly in rapidly dividing cells like cancer cells. Alkylating agents are used to treat various types of cancer, including leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumors. Examples of alkylating agents include cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, and temozolomide.