The Sound of Evolution
Ifosfamide
Mechanism of action:
Ifosfamide is an alkylating agent and belongs to the nitrogen mustard derivatives. Ifosfamide itself is a prodrug and must be metabolized in the liver by CYP3A4 and CYP2B6 to produce cytotoxic alkylating metabolites. The active metabolites of ifosfamide covalently bind to the N7 position of guanine in DNA, causing cross-linking either between two DNA strands (interstrand) or within the same strand (intrastrand), thereby interfering with DNA unwinding, replication, and transcription and leading tumor cells into apoptosis.
Reference(s):
1. Furlanut M et al. (2003). Pharmacology of ifosfamide. Oncology.
2. Fleming RA et al. (1997). An overview of cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide pharmacology. Pharmacotherapy.
3. Wagner T et al. (1994). Ifosfamide clinical pharmacokinetics. Clin Pharmacokinet.