Paper II
2018 February (2010 Scheme) · 40 marks · 120 min

Question

Why mesna is given simultaneously with cyclophosphamide.

Q101 marksShort Answers

Answer

Cyclophosphamide is metabolized to a toxic metabolite, acrolein, which is excreted in urine and causes haemorrhagic cystitis (bladder mucosal damage/bleeding). Mesna (sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate) is given simultaneously because it is excreted in the urine and directly binds/detoxifies acrolein within the bladder, preventing haemorrhagic cystitis without interfering with cyclophosphamide’s systemic anticancer activity.

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