Hexalen
Hexalen - General Information
An alkylating agent proposed as an antineoplastic. It also acts as a chemosterilant for male houseflies and other insects. [PubChem]
Pharmacology of Hexalen
Hexalen is a novel antineoplastic agent. The precise mechanism by which altretamine exerts its cytotoxic effect is unknown, although a number of theoretical possibilities have been studied. Structurally, altretamine resembles the alkylating agent triethylenemelamine, yet in vitro tests for alkylating activity of altretamine and its metabolitics have been negative. Hexalen has been demonstrated to be efficacious for certain ovarian tumors resistant to classical alkylating agents. Metabolism of altretamine is a requirement of cytotoxicity. Synthetic monohydroxymethylmelamines, and products of altretamine metabolism, in vitro and in vivo, can form covalent adducts with tissue macromolecules including DNA, but the relevance of these reactions to antitumor activity is unknown.
Hexalen for patients
Hexalen Interactions
Concurrent administration of HEXALEN and antidepressants of the MAO inhibitor class may cause severe orthostatic hypotension.Cimetidine, an inhibitor of microsomal drug metabolism, increased altretamine's half-life and toxicity in a rat model.
Data from a randomized trial of HEXALEN and cisplatin plus or minus pyridoxine in ovarian cancer indicated that pyridoxine significantly reduced neurotoxicity; however, it adversely affected response duration suggesting that pyridoxine should not be administered with HEXALEN and/or cisplatin.1
Hexalen Contraindications
HEXALEN is contraindicated in patients who have shown hypersensitivity to it. HEXALEN should not be employed in patients with preexisting severe bone marrow depression or severe neurologic toxicity. HEXALEN has been administered safely, however, to patients heavily pretreated with cisplatin and/or alkylating agents, including patients with preexisting cisplatin neuropathies. Careful monitoring of neurologic function in these patients is essential.
Additional information about Hexalen
Hexalen Indication: For use as a single agent in the palliative treatment of patients with persistent or recurrent ovarian cancer following first-line therapy with a cisplatin and/or alkylating agent-based combination.
Mechanism Of Action: The precise mechanism by which altretamine exerts its cytotoxic effect is unknown.
Drug Interactions: Not Available
Food Interactions: Not Available
Generic Name: Altretamine
Synonyms: Altretaminum [Inn-Latin]; HEXAMETHYLMELAMINE; HMM; HTM; HXM
Drug Category: Antineoplastic Agents
Drug Type: Small Molecule; Approved
Other Brand Names containing Altretamine: Hemel; Hexalen; Hexastat;
Absorption: Not Available
Toxicity (Overdose): Not Available
Protein Binding: 94%
Biotransformation: Not Available
Half Life: 4.7-10.2 hours
Dosage Forms of Hexalen: Capsule Oral
Chemical IUPAC Name: N2,N2,N4,N4,N6,N6-hexamethyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine
Chemical Formula: C9H18N6
Altretamine on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altretamine
Organisms Affected: Humans and other mammals
