Paper II
2023 July (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme)

Question

MESNA is administered during cyclophosphamide therapy

Q101 marksShort Answers

Answer

Cyclophosphamide’s hepatic activation to its active alkylating metabolites also generates acrolein as a toxic byproduct, which is excreted in the urine and causes hemorrhagic cystitis by damaging the bladder mucosa. Mesna is a thiol compound that binds and neutralizes acrolein directly within the urinary tract, preventing this bladder toxicity without interfering with cyclophosphamide’s own antitumor alkylating action elsewhere in the body — a targeted, antidote-like co-therapy rather than a generic supportive measure.

Other Years Asked


Revise MBBS
Preview