cyclophosphamide

An alkylating agent with antitumor activity and uses similar to those of its parent compound, nitrogen mustard (mechlorethamine hydrochloride); also a suppressor of B-cell activity and antibody formation, used to treat autoimmune diseases.

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cy·clo·phos·pha·mide -'fäs-fə-.mīd n an immunosuppressive and antineoplastic drug C₇H₁₅Cl₂N₂O₂P used to treat lymphomas and some leukemias see CYTOXAN

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n.

an alkylating agents used to treat a variety of cancers, often in combination with other cytotoxic drug. It also has immunosuppressant properties and is used in treating conditions, notably rheumatoid arthritis, requiring a reduced immune response. Cyclophosphamide is administered by mouth or by injection; common side-effects are nausea, vomiting, and - particularly at high doses - hair loss. Trade name: Endoxana.

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cy·clo·phos·pha·mide (CPM) (CYC) (si″klo-fosґfə-mīd) [USP] a cytotoxic alkylating agent of the nitrogen mustard group, used as an antineoplastic, often in combination with other agents, for a wide variety of conditions, including Hodgkin disease, lymphosarcoma, acute lymphocytic leukemia, Burkitt lymphoma, carcinoma of the breast, multiple myeloma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, bronchogenic carcinoma, neuroblastoma, ovarian carcinoma, and carcinoma of the uterine cervix; also used as an immunosuppressive agent to prevent transplant rejection and in the treatment of certain diseases with abnormal immune function. Cyclophosphamide itself is pharmacologically inert; several active metabolites are produced by the microsomal enzyme systems in the liver.