This nitrogen mustard and anticancer drug (FWfree-acid = 358.26 g/mol; CAS
16506-27-7), also known by its code name SDX-105, its trade names
Treanda?, Treakisym?, Ribomustin?, and Levact?, as well as by its
systematic name 4-[5-[bis (2-chloroethyl) amino]-1-methylbenzimidazol-2-
yl]butanoic acid, is a relatively nonspecific DNA alkylating agent that
causes intra- and inter-strand cross-links. Bendamustine is used in the
treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), Hodgkin’s disease, non-
Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma and lung cancer.
Pharmacokinetics: After intravenous infusion, >95% of the drug becomes
protein-bound, mainly to albumin; however, only free bendamustine is
active. Bendamustine is metabolized by liver cytochrome p450, and
elimination (renal) is biphasic, with an initial half-life of 6–10 minutes and a
terminal half-life of approximately 30 minutes.