nitrogen mustard
Quick Summary
Nitrogen mustard refers to toxic, blistering chemical compounds that are analogous to mustard gas but contain nitrogen instead of sulfur. Mustard gas itself is a liquid agent that causes blisters on the skin and mucous membranes upon contact, often with a faint garlic or mustard odor.12
While mustard gas was first synthesized in 1860 and introduced as a chemical weapon in World War I, research in the 1940s led to the development of nitrogen mustard derivatives. These compounds, along with sulfur mustard, were found to have applications in chemotherapy for treating cancer. Nitro compounds, in general, are chemical compounds containing a nitro group, and many are used as explosives, solvents, or chemical intermediates.23
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heterocyclic compoundThree-membered rings…in the pharmacological action of nitrogen mustards, which were among the first anticancer drugs developed (see drug: Cancer chemotherapy). Intramolecular ring closure, as in the case of the anticancer agent mechlorethamine, produces an intermediate aziridinium ion, the biologically active agent, which attacks rapidly proliferating cells such as cancer cells by…
Read More…in the pharmacological action of nitrogen mustards, which were among the first anticancer drugs developed (see drug: Cancer chemotherapy). Intramolecular ring closure, as in the case of the anticancer agent mechlorethamine, produces an intermediate aziridinium ion, the biologically active agent, which attacks rapidly proliferating cells such as cancer cells by…
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pharmaceutical industryEarly progress in cancer drug developmentIn the early 1940s nitrogen mustard (mechlorethamine) was discovered to be effective in the treatment of human lymphomas. The efficacy of this treatment led to the widespread realization that chemotherapy for cancer could be effective. In turn, this realization led to extensive research, discovery, and development of other cancer…
Read MoreIn the early 1940s nitrogen mustard (mechlorethamine) was discovered to be effective in the treatment of human lymphomas. The efficacy of this treatment led to the widespread realization that chemotherapy for cancer could be effective. In turn, this realization led to extensive research, discovery, and development of other cancer…
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