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, nonHodgkin’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.
