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chlorambucil (drug)
Chlorambucil is an alkylating agent that cross-links DNA strands, preventing cell division and causing cancer cell death.
Chlorambucil is an alkylating agent that cross-links DNA strands, preventing cell division and causing cancer cell death. Used for Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), Lymphomas (Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin), Waldenström macroglobulinemia.
At a glance
| Generic name | chlorambucil (drug) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group (IELSG) |
| Drug class | Alkylating agent |
| Target | DNA |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Oncology |
| Phase | Phase 3 |
Mechanism of action
Chlorambucil belongs to the nitrogen mustard class of alkylating agents. It forms covalent bonds with DNA bases, creating interstrand and intrastrand cross-links that disrupt DNA replication and transcription. This leads to apoptosis in rapidly dividing cells, particularly lymphoid malignancies.
Approved indications
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
- Lymphomas (Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin)
- Waldenström macroglobulinemia
Common side effects
- Myelosuppression (neutropenia, thrombocytopenia)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Anemia
- Infection
- Secondary malignancy
- Infertility
- Hepatotoxicity
Key clinical trials
- A Study of the Combination of Ibrutinib Plus Venetoclax Versus Chlorambucil Plus Obinutuzumab for the First-line Treatment of Participants With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL) (PHASE3)
- Study of Acalabrutinib Versus Chlorambucil Plus Rituximab in Adult Subjects With Previously Untreated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (PHASE3)
- Phase II Study of Chlorambucil and Subcutaneous Rituximab in Patients With Extranodal MALT Lymphoma (PHASE2)
- Comparison of the Treatments of Obinutuzumab + Venetoclax Versus Obinutuzumab + Chlorambucil in Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (PHASE3)
- Acalabrutinib, Obinutuzumab and Chlorambucil in Treatment naïve CLL (PHASE3)
- Ublituximab + TGR-1202 Compared to Obinutuzumab + Chlorambucil in Participants With Untreated and Previously Treated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (PHASE3)
- Open-label Extension Study in Patients 65 Years or Older With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia or Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (PHASE3)
- A Global Study of Lisaftoclax (APG-2575) Combined With Acalabrutinib Versus Immunochemotherapy for Newly Diagnosed CLL/SLL. (PHASE3)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- chlorambucil (drug) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- chlorambucil (drug) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group (IELSG) portfolio CI