NCIt definition : A bifunctional mechlorethamine derivative with alkylating and antimetabolite activities.
Although the exact mechanism of action of bendamustine is unknown, this agent appears
to alkylate and crosslink macromolecules, resulting in DNA, RNA and protein synthesis
inhibition, and eventually the induction of apoptosis.;
Alternative definition : NCI-GLOSS: The active ingredient in a drug that is used to treat chronic lymphocytic
leukemia (CLL), to treat slow-growing B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that has gotten
worse within 6 months of treatment with other anticancer drugs, and is being studied
in the treatment of other types of cancer. Bendamustine may damage the DNA in cancer
cells and cause them to die. It is a type of alkylating agent and a type of antimetabolite.;