Altretamine

Altretamine (also hexalen) is a drug that is used to treat refractory ovarian cancer. It is not considered a first-line treatment, but it can be useful as salvage therapy. It also has the advantage of being less toxic than other drugs used for treating refractory ovarian cancer.

The precise mechanism by which altretamine exerts its anti-cancer effect is unknown, but it is classified by MeSH as an alkylating antineoplastic agent. Hydroxymethylmelamines are the active metabolite.

It was approved by the FDA in 1990.

Side effects
Side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and neurotoxicity.