ABSTRACT
Mechlorethamine is a nitrogen mustard with antineoplastic and immunosuppressive activities. This agent alkylates DNA, resulting in DNA base pair mismatching, DNA interstrand crosslinking, the inhibition of DNA repair and synthesis, cell-cycle arrest, and apoptosis. It is a vesicant and necrotizing irritant destructive to mucous membranes, which was formerly used as a war gas. This chapter provides monographs of mechlorethamine which have caused contact allergy/allergic contact dermatitis. The monographs present: identification section; contact allergy (general population, patients with dermatitis, case reports and case series); cross-reactions; patch test sensitization; photocontact allergy; and immediate contact reactions (contact urticaria). The identification section presents IUPAC names, synonyms, CAS and EC numbers, structural and chemical formulas, Merck Index monographs, and advises on patch testing. The chapter also covers an extensive amount of information to benefit dermatologists, allergists, and all others interested in drug allergy.
