Alkeran: What It Is, How It's Used, and What You Need to Know

When doctors prescribe Alkeran, a chemotherapy drug also known as melphalan, used to kill cancer cells by damaging their DNA. Also known as melphalan, it's one of the oldest alkylating agents still in active use today. Unlike newer targeted therapies, Alkeran works broadly—attacking fast-dividing cells whether they’re cancerous or not. That’s why it’s effective but also why side effects like low blood counts and nausea are common.

Alkeran is most often used for multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer that affects plasma cells in the bone marrow, and sometimes for ovarian cancer, a disease that starts in the ovaries and can spread quickly if not caught early. It’s given either as a pill or through an IV, depending on the treatment plan. Some patients get it before a stem cell transplant to wipe out existing bone marrow cells—this is called conditioning therapy. Others take it long-term to keep cancer from coming back. It’s not a cure, but for many, it buys time and improves quality of life.

What makes Alkeran different from newer drugs? It doesn’t target a specific gene or protein. Instead, it messes with DNA directly. That’s why it’s still used decades after its discovery—it works when other treatments fail. But because it hits healthy cells too, patients often need blood transfusions, anti-nausea meds, or growth factors to help their bodies recover. It’s not for everyone. People with weak kidneys or low blood counts may not be candidates. And while it’s been around since the 1960s, it’s still a key tool in oncology because it’s affordable, reliable, and works in combination with other drugs.

You’ll find posts here that dig into how Alkeran compares to other chemo drugs, what real patients experience with side effects, how dosage is adjusted based on kidney function, and why some people respond better than others. There’s also info on how it fits into modern treatment plans, especially when paired with newer agents like lenalidomide or bortezomib. Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, or just trying to understand what this drug does, the articles below give you real, no-fluff answers—not just textbook definitions.