Gleostine is Indicated for Metastatic and Primary Brain Tumors

Gleostine is an alkylating drug that your doctor may recommend following the surgical and/or radiation therapy for primary and metastatic brain tumors . You may also be advised to take Gleostine (Lomustine) in combination with other chemotherapies if you have Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This is not a cure for brain cancer, but a treatment that decreases the amount of cancer cells in your body.

How This Alkylating Agent Works

When taken as directed, Lomustine bonds with the rapidly dividing cancer cell’s DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) or RNA (ribonucleic acid)in order to cause genetic defects. This results in the death of the cancer cells because there is no genetic material to tell the cells how to copy itself and divide. Cancer cells are not the only cells affected, however, as other cells in your body that divide quickly can die as well but are able to replenish their numbers eventually.

About Cell Cycles

The normal cells in your body will stop dividing when they come into contact with other cells of the same kind. This is known as contact inhibition and this is how they are supposed to act. However, cancer cells keep on dividing because they no longer have this ability so they continue to divide and create new cells. The faster the cancer cells divide, the better chance for Gleostine and other chemotherapy drugs to kill the cells and the tumor begins to shrink.

There are other cells in your body that also divide quickly and they too will be destroyed, but they are able to grow back. This is part of the reason for your symptoms of hair loss when undergoing chemotherapy as the normal cells are killed but eventually build their numbers again and your hair will start to grow back. Cancer treatments are usually carried out in cycles so you can regain strength and normal cells have time to recover before the next cycle when the cancer cells are vulnerable.

Before Starting on Gleostine

Tell your doctor if you are, or may be pregnant as there is a potential risk to your unborn baby. If you are still child-bearing age and are not currently pregnant, you should ask your doctor about which birth control method would be best for you to avoid a possible pregnancy. If you have a baby before starting this treatment, bottle feed formula as the ingredients in Gleostine could be contained in your breast milk. Men should also be aware of the need for a condom so you cannot father a child during this time. List current meds you are taking or using so it can be determined if Gleostine if safe to start.

Gleostine Precautions

Follow directions and do not change your dosage of Gleostine as this can greatly increase your risk of harmful side effects. Keep all medications out of children’s reach and never share with anyone else. You should not drive or take part in any activities that may be unsafe if you are not clear-headed. You will need to have regular blood tests during treatment with Gleostine.

Possible Side Effects of Gleostine

• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Mouth/lip sores
• Nausea/vomiting
• Temporary hair loss

Drugs Similar to Gleostine

• Temodar
• Matulane