Phosphoramide Mustard

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

**Definition:** One of a number of chemically-related alkylating agents with antineoplastic properties. The prototype of this group of agents is cyclophosphamide. Most phosphoramide mustards are administered as prodrugs that undergo reductive activation in hypoxic environments to yield cytotoxic metabolites. These agents alkylate and crosslink DNA, resulting in inhibition of DNA replication. Phosphoramide mustards are also immunosuppressants, mutagens and teratogens. (NCI04)