alkylating agent

An alkylating agent is a chemical compound that adds alkyl groups (carbon-based groups) to other molecules, especially DNA. In medicine, they are used in chemotherapy to damage the DNA of cancer cells, preventing their growth and causing them to die. They work by binding to DNA and disrupting its structure, which interferes with the cancer cells’ ability to divide and multiply. While effective against cancer, alkylating agents can also affect healthy cells, which is why they are used carefully under medical supervision.