What is "fotemustine"

n. A nitrosourea alkylating agent under investigation for use in the treatment of melanoma.

Fotemustine is a nitrosourea alkylating agent approved for use in the treatment of metastasising melanoma. A study has shown that fotemustine produces improved response rates and but does not increase survival (over dacarbazine in the treatment of disseminated cutaneous melanoma. Median survival was 7.3 months with fotemustine versus 5.6 months with DTIC (P=.067). There was also toxicity prevalence in fotemustine arm. The main toxicity was grade 3 to 4 neutropenia (51% with fotemustine v 5% with DTIC) and thrombocytopenia (43% v 6%, respectively).