Carmustine Implant

**Semantic type:** Organic Chemical|Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** A synthetic, biodegradable wafer containing the agent carmustine with antineoplastic activity. Used to deliver drug directly into a brain tumor site and typically implanted post-surgically, the wafer is made of a biodegradable poly-anhydride copolymer and contains the nitrosourea carmustine. As an antineoplastic nitrosourea, carmustine alkylates and cross-links DNA during all phases of the cell cycle, resulting in disruption of DNA function, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis. Carmustine also carbamoylates proteins, including DNA repair enzymes, resulting in an enhanced cytotoxic effect. Carmustine is highly lipophilic and crosses the blood-brain barrier readily. (NCI04)

**Synonyms:** - BCNU Wafer - Carmustine Copolymer - Carmustine Wafer - Carmustine Wafers - Carmustine wafer polifeprosan 20 - Gliadel - Gliadel Wafer - Gliadel Wafer - Gliadel Wafer - Gliadel Wafers - NPC 08 - NPC08 - Polifeprosan 20 with Carmustine Implant - polifeprosan 20 carmustine implant