Melphalan

conditioning regimens for allogeneic stem cell transplantation therapy, Bone Marrow Transplant, Multiple Myeloma

Treatment

20 Active Studies for Melphalan

What is Melphalan

Melphalan

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Melphalan is an antineoplastic drug that is used to treat certain types of cancer. It is composed of the levo isomer, racemic mixture, and dextro isomer. This drug is toxic to bone marrow, but does not cause much damage to other tissues. It is also considered a potential carcinogen.

Alkeran

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Melphalan Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Alkeran

Melphalan

1984

34

Effectiveness

How Melphalan Affects Patients

Melphalan is an anti-cancer medication that belongs to a group of drugs called alkylating agents. These drugs work by changing the structure of DNA strands and making it impossible for the cells to replicate. They also add substances to molecules which prevents them from being used correctly. Alkylating agents can cause cell death and stop tumor growth, but they affect cells regardless of what stage of the cell cycle they are in.

How Melphalan works in the body

Melphalan damages DNA by attaching to individual DNA strands and preventing them from separating. It may also cause mutations in the DNA, leading to errors in replication or transcription. The damage is caused when repair enzymes try to correct the errors that have been introduced by melphalan.

When to interrupt dosage

The prescribed dosage of Melphalan is contingent upon the established condition, including Multiple Myeloma, Stem cell transplant and Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. The quantity of dosage is contingent upon the mode of delivery listed in the table below.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Bone Marrow Transplant

, 5.0 mg/mL, 2.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 5.0 mg/mg, 200.0 mg

Kit, , Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Kit - Intravenous, Tablet, film coated, Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Intra-arterial; Intravenous, Kit; Powder, for solution; Solution, Kit; Powder, for solution; Solution - Intra-arterial; Intravenous, Kit; Powder, for solution; Solution - Intravenous, Kit; Powder, for solution, Kit; Powder, for solution - Intra-arterial; Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Kit; Powder, for solution - Intravenous

conditioning regimens for allogeneic stem cell transplantation therapy

, 5.0 mg/mL, 2.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 5.0 mg/mg, 200.0 mg

Kit, , Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Kit - Intravenous, Tablet, film coated, Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Intra-arterial; Intravenous, Kit; Powder, for solution; Solution, Kit; Powder, for solution; Solution - Intra-arterial; Intravenous, Kit; Powder, for solution; Solution - Intravenous, Kit; Powder, for solution, Kit; Powder, for solution - Intra-arterial; Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Kit; Powder, for solution - Intravenous

Multiple Myeloma

, 5.0 mg/mL, 2.0 mg, 5.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 5.0 mg/mg, 200.0 mg

Kit, , Intravenous, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution, Injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution - Intravenous, Kit - Intravenous, Tablet, film coated, Oral, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Intra-arterial; Intravenous, Kit; Powder, for solution; Solution, Kit; Powder, for solution; Solution - Intra-arterial; Intravenous, Kit; Powder, for solution; Solution - Intravenous, Kit; Powder, for solution, Kit; Powder, for solution - Intra-arterial; Intravenous, Injection, powder, for solution, Injection, powder, for solution - Intravenous, Kit; Powder, for solution - Intravenous

Warnings

Melphalan has a single contraindication, and combining it with the conditions listed in the table below should be avoided.

Melphalan Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

prior resistance to drug

Do Not Combine

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Melphalan.

Common Melphalan Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

2-Methoxyethanol

Major

The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Melphalan is combined with 2-Methoxyethanol.

9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A

Major

The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Melphalan is combined with 9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A.

Abatacept

Major

The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Melphalan is combined with Abatacept.

Abetimus

Major

The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Melphalan is combined with Abetimus.

Acteoside

Major

The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Melphalan is combined with Acteoside.

Melphalan Toxicity & Overdose Risk

Overdosing on Mitomycin C can lead to vomiting, sores in the mouth, diarrhea, and internal bleeding. The most common side effect is a decrease in bone marrow activity. The toxic dose in rats has been measured at 11.2mg/kg when taken orally.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Melphalan Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Melphalan?

120 active clinical trials are presently exploring the potential of Melphalan for Bone Marrow Transplantation, Epithelial Ovarian Cancer and conditioning regimens for allogeneic stem cell transplantation therapy.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Multiple Myeloma

6 Actively Recruiting

Phase 1, Phase 2

conditioning regimens for allogeneic stem cell transplantation therapy

0 Actively Recruiting

Bone Marrow Transplant

27 Actively Recruiting

Not Applicable, Phase 2, Early Phase 1, Phase 1

Melphalan Reviews: What are patients saying about Melphalan?

5

Patient Review

10/17/2007

Melphalan for Cancer of the Ovary

I began this treatment on 5/27/07 and my CA number (a measure of the cancer cells in my body) went from 2000 to 48.5 in just a few months. My doctor and NP were both very impressed with the results. I would definitely recommend this treatment to others facing similar situations.

5

Patient Review

1/2/2021

Melphalan for Multiple Myeloma

This drug has been working really well for my father. He's 75 years old and we tried two other treatments before this one, but neither of them worked as well as this one has.

5

Patient Review

1/2/2021

Melphalan for Multiple Myeloma

This was the third treatment my father tried, and it finally worked. He's 75 years old.

5

Patient Review

10/17/2007

Melphalan for Cancer of the Ovary

I started this drug on 5/27/07 and my CA number went down from 2000 to 48.5 in just a few months. This is an inexpensive and easy treatment that can be done at home, but you will need to get your blood levels checked regularly. I feel great right now, but I know that the cancer may come back in the future.

3.3

Patient Review

6/4/2009

Melphalan for Multiple Myeloma

I started feeling sick two days after the treatment, and now it's been four days. I really don't like this feeling.

3.3

Patient Review

6/4/2009

Melphalan for Multiple Myeloma

I started feeling ill a couple days after taking this medication, and now four days later I'm feeling even worse. Not a fan.

1

Patient Review

11/21/2010

Melphalan for Multiple Myeloma

After taking this drug for four days as directed, I had to stop for six weeks due to the severity of the side effects. These included (but were not limited to) weight loss, back and stomach pain, decreased appetite, and general weakness. This is my second round of the medication, and it was even worse than the first time.

1

Patient Review

11/21/2010

Melphalan for Multiple Myeloma

I took the drug for four days as instructed, then stopped taking it for six weeks. After starting up again, I experienced nearly all of the listed side effects while on the drug. These effects started immediately upon taking the medication and only got worse from there. I was unable to function normally by the fourth week; I was weak, had no appetite, and lost 12 pounds. This is my second round with this treatment, and it was much worse than the first time.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about melphalan

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

Does melphalan cause hair loss?

"Melphalan treatment may cause hair loss. You may see thinning or loss of hair within two to four weeks of taking the first dose of Melphalan. Loss of hair may happen on eyebrows, eyelashes, and pubic areas."

Answered by AI

What type of chemotherapy is melphalan?

"Melphalan is a chemotherapy drug used to treat multiple myeloma. It works by inhibiting DNA and RNA synthesis, causing the death of both dividing and non-dividing tumor cells. It has been used to treat MM since the 1960s."

Answered by AI

Is melphalan a chemotherapy?

"Melphalan is a chemotherapy treatment that is used to treat a number of different cancer types. It can also be used as a part of a stem cell or bone marrow transplant. Melphalan is also known as Alkeran."

Answered by AI

What are the side effects of melphalan?

"Certain cancer treatments can cause bone marrow depression, which may lead to a decrease in white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This can cause a variety of symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting, soreness of the mouth and throat, hair loss, and loose bowel movements."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Melphalan

Image of Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network in Toronto, Canada.

Psychoeducation for Caregivers of Bone Marrow Transplant Patients

18+
All Sexes
Toronto, Canada

Background: Caregivers of patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) for hematological malignancies face significant challenges that can impact their well-being. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an adapted psychoeducational intervention(PEI) designed to support these caregivers. Methods: This study will recruit caregivers of alloHCT patients. Participants will be enrolled during pre-transplant clinic visits, typically 2-4 weeks before the scheduled transplant. The intervention consists of eight sessions over 12 weeks, delivered via Microsoft Teams by a nurse facilitator. In the adapted PEI, participants will learn stress management, coping strategies, energy management, goal-setting, communication skills, and support resource access through interactive exercises. Data Collection: Participants will complete questionnaires at three time points: pre-intervention, one month post-transplant, and three months post-transplant. The final assessment will include additional questions about feasibility, acceptability and the initial efficacy of the adapted PEI. Outcomes: The primary outcomes will be the feasibility and acceptability of the adapted psychoeducational intervention (PEI). Secondary outcomes will include initial efficacy of the adapted PEI on caregiver outcomes such as depression, anxiety, satisfaction with caregiving and quality of life. Significance: This research aims to assess the feasibility, acceptability and initial efficacy of implementing the adapted PEI for alloHCT caregivers. If found feasible and acceptable, this intervention could potentially improve caregivers' ability to manage caregiving stressors and pave the way for larger-scale randomized studies and implementation.

Recruiting
Has No Placebo

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network

Samantha Mayo, RN, PhD

Image of Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, United States.

Mosaic Website for Blood Cancer Patients

18+
All Sexes
Washington, United States

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if using an intervention website (Mosaic) improves selected patient-reported outcomes in adult blood cancer patients undergoing allogeneic or autologous stem cell transplant, compared to using an educational website (control group). Patients will be recruited prior to their scheduled transplant, then randomized to use one of these two study websites throughout the study. They will complete five assessments during the study: one before transplant (baseline) and four after transplant (2, 4, 6, and 8 month follow-ups). The main questions this trial aims to answer are: 1. Compared to patients using the control group website, do patients using the intervention website report greater improvements in general psychological distress, cancer treatment-related distress, physical symptoms, and health-related quality of life? 2. Are these benefits at least partially explained by improvements in perceived preparedness, self-efficacy, and approach coping and/or reductions in avoidant coping and perceived stress? 3. Do some patients benefit more from using the intervention website than others? Specifically, we will examine whether patients' primary language (English/Spanish) and their initial psychological distress are related to the benefit they get from using the intervention website. We will also explore effects of sex, race, ethnicity, and transplant type.

Recruiting
Has No Placebo

Georgetown University School of Medicine (+3 Sites)

Image of University of Kansas Cancer Center in Kansas City, United States.

High Intensity Interval Training for Bone Marrow Transplant

18 - 80
All Sexes
Kansas City, KS

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn how a remotely monitored high-intensity interval training (REMM-HIIT) affects the cardiorespiratory fitness and physical function for patients planning to undergo stem cell transplantation. The main questions it aims to answer are: Is there a change in the participant's cardiorespiratory fitness level? Is there a change in the participant's physical function? Researchers will compare the REMM-HIIT program to a control group of participants who do not take part in the training program to see if REMM-HIIT helps improve stem cell transplantation outcomes. Participants will: * Complete cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) 4 times during the study * Do basic tests to measure physical function 6 times during the study * Answer questions about their life and how they are feeling 6 times during the study * Wear a device to keep track of step counts and heart rate daily * Keep a log of every time they exercise throughout the study * Optionally, provide blood and stool samples 6 times during the study

Waitlist Available
Has No Placebo

University of Kansas Cancer Center (+2 Sites)

Anthony Sung, MD

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Image of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, United States.

Digital Support for Bone Marrow Transplant

18+
All Sexes
Boston, MA

The overall goal of this study is to assess the efficacy of the care.coach Avatar™ in improving anxiety and quality of life for patients undergoing outpatient transplant. After care.coach Avatar™ content and scheduling ("digital intervention" or "program") has been optimized for outpatient allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT), a randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted of the digital versus usual supportive care program for outpatient HCT recipients. Potential improvements in anxiety and quality of life will be evaluated, with the intent of increasing comfortability with outpatient transplant and expanding the population of eligible patients willing to receive their transplants in an outpatient setting.

Recruiting
Has No Placebo

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Victor Wang, MS

Friendi.fi Corporation

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Image of Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, United States.

CliniMACS® for Blood Cancers

< 65
All Sexes
Columbus, OH

This is a study utilizing the Magnetic-activated cell sorting (CliniMACS®) Alpha-Beta T-cell (αβT)/Cluster of Differentiation 19 (CD19), also called B lymphocyte antigen CD19 depletion device for Children and Young Adults with Hematologic Malignancies undergoing alternative Donor Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (HSCT). Patients will receive an allogenic HSCT from a matched unrelated donor (MUD), mismatch unrelated donor (MMUD) or a mismatched related (haploidentical) donor. Patients will receive a granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) ± Plerixafor donor mobilized peripheral stem cell donor transplant following CliniMACS® αβT cell/CD19+B cell depletion. Cluster of Differentiation 34 (CD34) and αβT cell content of the graft is determined based on the transplant indication.

Recruiting
Has No Placebo

Nationwide Children's Hospital

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