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

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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

Have you considered Melphalan clinical trials?

We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Melphalan, we think they might fit your search criteria.
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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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We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Melphalan, we think they might fit your search criteria.
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Image of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, United States.

Light Therapy for Depression

8 - 18
All Sexes
Memphis, TN

The participants are being asked to be in this clinical trial, a type of research study, because the participants are going to have a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) in the near future. Participants that get HSCT's often get depression and/or suffer from depressive symptoms, tiredness, and sleep disturbances. Primary Objective To evaluate the efficacy of BL therapy for the treatment of depression in children and adolescents undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Secondary Objectives * To evaluate the temporal effect and magnitude of BL vs. DL therapy on depression in pediatric patients undergoing HSCT. * To evaluate the efficacy of BL therapy for the treatment of fatigue in children and adolescents undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant. * To evaluate the response of BL therapy versus DL on sleep quality. Exploratory Objectives * To compare incidence of positive delirium screenings between those receiving BL therapy versus DL * To evaluate participant and caregiver perceptions of the acceptability, ease of use, and risks/benefits of the use of Light Therapy Glasses during HSCT utilizing qualitative interviews.

Waitlist Available
Has No Placebo

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Andrew Elliott, MD

Have you considered Melphalan clinical trials?

We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Melphalan, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Go to Trials