Mesna

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Mesna
Systematic (IUPAC) name
sodium 2-sulfanylethanesulfonate
Identifiers
CAS number	19767-45-4
ATC code	R05CB05 V03AF01
PubChem	29769
Chemical data
Formula	C2H5NaO3S2
Mol. mass	164.181 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	45–79% (Oral)
Metabolism	Oxidised in circulation
Half life	0.36–8.3 hours
Excretion	Renal
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	B1 (Au), B (U.S.)
Legal status	S4 (Au), POM (UK), ℞-only (U.S.)
Routes	Oral, intravenous

Mesna (INN) (pronounced /ˈmɛznə/) is an adjuvant used in cancer chemotherapy involving cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide. It is currently marketed by Baxter as Uromitexan® and Mesnex®.

Mesna is used therapeutically to reduce the incidence of haemorrhagic cystitis and haematuria when a patient receives ifosfamide or cyclophosphamide for cancer chemotherapy. These two anticancer agents, in vivo, may be converted to urotoxic metabolites such as acrolein. Mesna assists to neutralise these metabolites by binding through its sulfhydryl-moieties, and also increases urinary excretion of cysteine.

External links

• BC Cancer Agency
• NIH/Medline

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