Chlorambucil is an alkylating agent belonging to the nitrogen mustard class of anticancer drugs, primarily used in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and other hematologic malignancies. It works by binding to DNA and forming cross-links, which interferes with DNA replication and transcription, ultimately leading to cell death. Chlorambucil was first synthesized in the 1950s and introduced as one of the early chemotherapeutic agents for cancer treatment. It is administered orally, making it convenient for long-term therapy compared to intravenous agents. The drug has a slow onset of action but provides sustained effects in controlling malignant cell proliferation. Chlorambucil is often chosen for elderly patients or those requiring outpatient treatment due to its oral formulation and manageable toxicity profile. Common side effects include bone marrow suppression, nausea, and immunosuppression, which require careful monitoring. It is sometimes combined with other chemotherapeutic agents to enhance efficacy in combination therapy regimens. Chlorambucil has played a significant role in the development of modern alkylating chemotherapy. Today, it remains an important drug in hematologic oncology for long-term disease management
