ABSTRACT
Dacarbazine, a cell-cycle phase nonspecific antineoplastic agent (see Figure 15), is indicated in treatment of metastatic malignant melanoma (3 mg/kg/day for 10 days) and secondline therapy for Hodgkin’s disease. Dacarbazine is thought to exert its effects by alkylation of a carbonium ion, inhibition of DNA synthesis by acting as a purine analog, and interaction with sulfhydryl groups in proteins. It is metabolized partly to 5-aminomidazole-4-carboxamide (AIC) and partly is excreted unchanged by active tubular secretion. The half-life of carboxamide is altered in hepatic and renal impairment. Dacarbazine causes nausea, vomiting, flu-like syndrome with fever and myalgia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia.
