How well does Alkeran(Melphalan) work?

ALKERAN (melphalan) exhibits therapeutic efficacy in the palliative treatment of multiple myeloma and non-resectable epithelial ovarian carcinoma by acting as a bifunctional alkylating agent that interferes with DNA replication and transcription.

Therapeutic Efficacy of ALKERAN in Hematologic and Ovarian Malignancies

ALKERAN (melphalan) is an orally administered, bifunctional alkylating agent primarily indicated for the palliative management of multiple myeloma and non-resectable epithelial carcinoma of the ovary. Its therapeutic mechanism involves cross-linking DNA strands through alkylation at the N⁷ position of guanine, thereby inhibiting DNA replication and RNA transcription, which induces cytotoxicity in both proliferating and resting tumor cells. This pharmacodynamic activity underlies its efficacy in hematologic malignancies and epithelial ovarian cancers. However, the clinical application is constrained by dose-dependent myelosuppression, requiring close hematologic monitoring. Use is contraindicated in patients with prior hypersensitivity or resistance to melphalan.