Mesna
Encyclopedia
Mesna (icon) is an organosulfur compound. It is used in cancer chemotherapy involving cyclophosphamide
and ifosfamide
as an adjuvant
. It is marketed by Baxter
as Uromitexan and Mesnex. MESNA is an acronym for 2-Mercaptoethane sulfonate Na (Na being the symbol for sodium).
and haematuria
when a patient receives ifosfamide or cyclophosphamide for cancer chemotherapy. These two anticancer agents, in vivo, may be converted to urotoxic metabolites such as acrolein
.
Mesna assists to detoxify these metabolites by reaction of its sulfhydryl group with the vinyl group. It also increases urinary excretion of cysteine
.
, working in the same way as acetylcysteine; it is sold for this indication as Mistabron and Mistabronco.
Cyclophosphamide
Cyclophosphamide , also known as cytophosphane, is a nitrogen mustard alkylating agent, from the oxazophorines group....
and ifosfamide
Ifosfamide
Ifosfamide is a nitrogen mustard alkylating agent used in the treatment of cancer.It is sometimes abbreviated "IFO".-Uses:It is given as a treatment for a variety of cancers, including:...
as an adjuvant
Adjuvant
An adjuvant is a pharmacological or immunological agent that modifies the effect of other agents, such as a drug or vaccine, while having few if any direct effects when given by itself...
. It is marketed by Baxter
Baxter International
Baxter International Inc. , is an American health care company with headquarters in Deerfield, Illinois. The company primarily focuses on products to treat hemophilia, kidney disease, immune disorders and other chronic and acute medical conditions...
as Uromitexan and Mesnex. MESNA is an acronym for 2-Mercaptoethane sulfonate Na (Na being the symbol for sodium).
As a chemotherapy adjuvant
Mesna is used therapeutically to reduce the incidence of haemorrhagic cystitisHemorrhagic cystitis
Hemorrhagic cystitis or Haemorrhagic cystitis is diffuse inflammation of the bladder leading to dysuria, hematuria, and hemorrhage. The disease can occur as a complication of cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide and radiation therapy...
and haematuria
Hematuria
In medicine, hematuria, or haematuria, is the presence of red blood cells in the urine. It may be idiopathic and/or benign, or it can be a sign that there is a kidney stone or a tumor in the urinary tract , ranging from trivial to lethal...
when a patient receives ifosfamide or cyclophosphamide for cancer chemotherapy. These two anticancer agents, in vivo, may be converted to urotoxic metabolites such as acrolein
Acrolein
Acrolein is the simplest unsaturated aldehyde. It is produced widely but is most often immediately reacted with other products due to its instability and toxicity...
.
Mesna assists to detoxify these metabolites by reaction of its sulfhydryl group with the vinyl group. It also increases urinary excretion of cysteine
Cysteine
Cysteine is an α-amino acid with the chemical formula HO2CCHCH2SH. It is a non-essential amino acid, which means that it is biosynthesized in humans. Its codons are UGU and UGC. The side chain on cysteine is thiol, which is polar and thus cysteine is usually classified as a hydrophilic amino acid...
.
Other
Outside North America, mesna is also used as a mucolytic agentMucolytic agent
Mucokinetics are a class of drugs which aid in the clearance of mucous from the airways, lungs, bronchi, and trachea. Such drugs can be further categorized by their mechanism of action.* expectorants* mucolytic agents...
, working in the same way as acetylcysteine; it is sold for this indication as Mistabron and Mistabronco.