ALKYLATION OF DNA AND ITS AFTERMATH

Current pharmacopoeias invariably refer to a category of 'alkylating d rugs', still among the most widely used in cancer chemotherapy. They a re described as acting through their ability to damage DNA, thus inter fering with cell replication. Unfortunately, this mode of action impli cates these drugs as carcinogens. Thus the early studies recalled in t his essay proved to be relevant to our understanding of both the main problems with which cancer research concerns itself: the causation of cancer and possible methods of treatment of this group of diseases.