How it is administered

Dacarbazine is given as an intravenous (IV) injection. It comes as a powder in vials that must be reconstituted with sterile water before use. The solution is then further diluted and administered through a vein, either as a direct injection or as an infusion over a period of time. It is not available in oral form and must be given by a healthcare professional in a clinic or hospital setting.

How it works

Dacarbazine is an anticancer medication that works by interfering with the growth of cancer cells. Although the exact way it works is not completely understood, there are three main theories:

1. It may inhibit DNA synthesis by acting as a purine analog, which means it mimics certain building blocks of DNA and disrupts the cancer cell's ability to replicate its genetic material.
2. It may act as an alkylating agent, which means it adds certain chemical groups to DNA, causing damage that prevents the cancer cells from dividing and growing.
3. It may interact with specific chemical groups (SH groups) within cells, further disrupting their normal function.

After administration, dacarbazine is distributed throughout the body, likely concentrating in tissues such as the liver. It is broken down and eliminated mainly through the kidneys. By damaging the DNA of rapidly dividing cells, dacarbazine helps slow or stop the growth of cancer cells.

Who Should take it

Dacarbazine is indicated for the treatment of Hodgkin's disease (also known as Hodgkin lymphoma), especially as a second-line therapy when used in combination with other effective anticancer agents. It is also used for metastatic malignant melanoma, but for Hodgkin lymphoma, it is typically part of a combination chemotherapy regimen.

Patients with Hodgkin lymphoma who have not responded to initial treatments or who have relapsed may be candidates for dacarbazine as part of their treatment plan. The decision to use dacarbazine is made by a healthcare provider based on the patient’s specific diagnosis, overall health, and previous treatments.

Who should not take it

Dacarbazine should not be used in patients who have previously shown hypersensitivity or allergic reactions to this medication.

Caution is also advised in patients with significant bone marrow suppression, as dacarbazine can cause further depression of blood cell production. Patients with severe liver or kidney dysfunction should be monitored closely, as the drug is processed and eliminated through these organs. Dacarbazine should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus, as animal studies have shown it can cause harm to unborn babies. Nursing mothers should discuss with their doctor whether to discontinue the drug or stop breastfeeding.

Commonly used with

For Hodgkin lymphoma, dacarbazine is almost always used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs. It is a component of the ABVD regimen, which also includes doxorubicin (Adriamycin), bleomycin, and vinblastine. This combination is commonly used as a standard treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma.

Commonly tested with

Dacarbazine has been tested in clinical studies in combination with other chemotherapy agents, particularly as part of the ABVD regimen (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine) for Hodgkin lymphoma. It may also be tested with other anticancer drugs in research settings for different types of cancers.