Dacarbazine medac
Dacarbazine (as dacarbazine citrate) – Powder for solution for intravenous infusion
Quick Facts about Dacarbazine medac
Key Takeaways about Dacarbazine medac
- Hospital-only chemotherapy: Dacarbazine medac is administered exclusively in hospital settings by specialists experienced in cancer treatment
- Three approved indications: Used for advanced melanoma, Hodgkin lymphoma (in ABVD regimen), and soft tissue sarcoma (in ADIC regimen)
- Light-sensitive drug: Must be protected from daylight during preparation and infusion to maintain stability and efficacy
- Regular blood monitoring required: Blood counts, liver function, and kidney function must be checked before each treatment cycle
- Contraindicated in pregnancy: Can harm the unborn baby; effective contraception required during and after treatment for both men and women
What Is Dacarbazine medac and What Is It Used For?
Dacarbazine medac is a chemotherapy medicine (cytotoxic alkylating agent) that works by damaging cancer cell DNA, ultimately stopping them from growing and dividing. It is used to treat advanced malignant melanoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, and soft tissue sarcoma, either alone or in combination with other anticancer drugs.
Dacarbazine belongs to a group of medicines known as cytotoxic alkylating agents. These drugs interfere with the growth of cancer cells by introducing chemical changes in their DNA. Specifically, dacarbazine undergoes metabolic activation in the liver where it is converted to its active metabolite, MTIC (5-(3-methyltriazen-1-yl)-imidazole-4-carboxamide). This metabolite alkylates (adds methyl groups to) DNA at the O6 and N7 positions of guanine, causing DNA cross-links and strand breaks that trigger apoptosis — programmed cell death — in rapidly dividing cancer cells.
Dacarbazine medac is approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and regulatory authorities worldwide for the treatment of three types of cancer. The first is advanced malignant melanoma, which is the most aggressive form of skin cancer. Dacarbazine has been a standard treatment for metastatic melanoma for decades, although newer immunotherapies and targeted therapies have expanded treatment options significantly. It remains an important option in settings where these newer agents are unavailable or contraindicated.
The second approved indication is Hodgkin lymphoma (previously called Hodgkin's disease), a cancer of the lymphatic system. In this setting, dacarbazine is used as a component of the ABVD combination chemotherapy regimen, which consists of doxorubicin (Adriamycin), bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine. ABVD is considered a first-line standard of care for Hodgkin lymphoma according to guidelines from the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN).
The third indication is soft tissue sarcoma, which encompasses cancers arising in muscles, fat, fibrous tissue, blood vessels, or other supportive tissues of the body. For soft tissue sarcoma, dacarbazine is typically administered as part of the ADIC regimen in combination with doxorubicin (Adriamycin). This combination has demonstrated efficacy in advanced soft tissue sarcomas and continues to be recommended in international oncology guidelines.
Dacarbazine may also be used in clinical practice for other conditions not listed in the approved indications. Your oncologist will determine whether dacarbazine is appropriate for your specific type and stage of cancer, taking into account the latest evidence and treatment guidelines. Always follow your healthcare team's instructions regarding your treatment plan.
What Should You Know Before Receiving Dacarbazine medac?
Before receiving dacarbazine, your doctor will check your blood counts, liver and kidney function. The drug is contraindicated in patients with severe liver or kidney disease, very low blood counts, known allergy to dacarbazine, and during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Several important drug interactions must be considered.
Contraindications
You must not receive Dacarbazine medac in the following situations:
- Allergy to dacarbazine: If you are allergic to dacarbazine or any of the other ingredients in the product (citric acid anhydrous and mannitol)
- Low blood cell counts: If your white blood cell count (leukopenia) and/or platelet count (thrombocytopenia) are too low, as dacarbazine further suppresses bone marrow function
- Severe liver disease: Because dacarbazine is metabolized in the liver and can itself cause hepatotoxicity
- Severe kidney disease: As approximately 40% of dacarbazine is excreted by the kidneys
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Dacarbazine is teratogenic and mutagenic, meaning it can cause birth defects and genetic damage to the developing baby
Warnings and Precautions
Before each treatment cycle with dacarbazine, your medical team will conduct several important checks. Blood samples will be taken to ensure that your blood cell counts — including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets — are at safe levels to proceed with treatment. Your liver function and kidney function will also be assessed, as dacarbazine is both metabolized by the liver and excreted by the kidneys.
One critical safety consideration is that live vaccines must not be administered during dacarbazine treatment or for at least 3 months after the last dose. This is because dacarbazine suppresses the immune system, which could lead to an overwhelming infection from a live vaccine. However, inactivated (killed) vaccines can be given during treatment if necessary, although their effectiveness may be reduced.
Fotemustine must never be used simultaneously with dacarbazine. The concurrent use of these two agents has been associated with serious pulmonary toxicity (lung damage), including fatal cases of pulmonary fibrosis and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Dacarbazine is a potent vesicant, meaning that if it leaks out of the vein during infusion (extravasation), it can cause severe local tissue damage, pain, and necrosis. For this reason, it is essential that the intravenous line is properly placed and monitored throughout the infusion. If you experience burning, stinging, or swelling at the injection site during the infusion, notify your nurse or doctor immediately.
Signs of infection (sore throat, fever), unusual bruising or bleeding, extreme fatigue, persistent or severe vomiting or diarrhea, severe allergic reaction (sudden itchy rash, swelling of face/lips/throat, difficulty breathing), yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice), or neurological symptoms such as headache, vision changes, seizures, confusion, or facial numbness/tingling.
Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, and Fertility
Dacarbazine must not be used during pregnancy due to its known teratogenic, mutagenic, and embryotoxic effects. Animal studies and the mechanism of action of dacarbazine confirm that it can cause significant harm to the developing fetus, including birth defects and fetal death. If you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant, you must inform your oncologist before starting treatment.
Breastfeeding is contraindicated during dacarbazine therapy. It is not known whether dacarbazine or its metabolites are excreted in breast milk, but given the drug's cytotoxic nature, exposure through breast milk could pose a serious risk to the nursing infant.
Regarding fertility, dacarbazine can affect reproductive function in both men and women. Women of childbearing potential must use effective contraception during treatment and for 6 months following the last dose. Men must use effective contraception and should not father a child during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose. Men are strongly advised to seek counseling about sperm preservation (cryopreservation) before beginning dacarbazine therapy, as the drug may cause irreversible effects on spermatogenesis.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Dacarbazine may impair your ability to drive or operate machinery due to potential central nervous system effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, and visual disturbances. Nausea and vomiting, which are common side effects, can also affect your concentration and reaction time. You should not drive or operate machinery if you experience any of these symptoms. Between treatment cycles, you may drive if you feel well and are not experiencing any adverse effects that could impair your judgment or coordination.
Alcohol
You should avoid alcohol during chemotherapy with dacarbazine. Alcohol can worsen nausea and vomiting, place additional stress on the liver (which is already burdened by metabolizing the chemotherapy drug), and may interact with other medications you are receiving as part of your treatment regimen, such as anti-emetics or pain relievers.
How Does Dacarbazine medac Interact with Other Drugs?
Dacarbazine has clinically significant interactions with several drug classes. The combination with fotemustine is strictly contraindicated due to risk of fatal lung damage. Other important interactions include increased seizure risk with phenytoin, enhanced photosensitivity with methoxsalen, and increased immunosuppression with cyclosporine or tacrolimus.
Because dacarbazine is metabolized by liver cytochrome P450 enzymes (primarily CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and CYP2E1), interactions can occur with any drug that induces or inhibits these enzyme systems. It is essential to inform your oncologist about all medications you are taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and herbal supplements, before starting dacarbazine treatment.
Major Interactions
| Drug / Drug Class | Interaction Effect | Clinical Action |
|---|---|---|
| Fotemustine | Risk of severe, potentially fatal pulmonary toxicity (lung damage) | Contraindicated – must never be used together |
| Phenytoin (antiepileptic) | Increased risk of seizures (convulsions) | Monitor closely; dose adjustment may be needed |
| Live vaccines (MMR, varicella, etc.) | Risk of severe, disseminated infection due to immunosuppression | Contraindicated during treatment and for 3 months after |
| Other cytotoxic agents / radiation | Increased risk of severe bone marrow suppression | Careful monitoring of blood counts required |
| Cyclosporine / Tacrolimus | Excessive immunosuppression, increased infection risk | Avoid combination if possible; close monitoring |
Other Notable Interactions
| Drug / Drug Class | Interaction Effect | Clinical Action |
|---|---|---|
| Methoxsalen (psoralen / PUVA therapy) | Enhanced photosensitivity (increased risk of severe sunburn) | Avoid sun exposure; use maximum sun protection |
| Hepatotoxic drugs (diazepam, imipramine, ketoconazole, carbamazepine) | Increased risk of liver damage | Avoid during chemotherapy; monitor liver function |
| Anticoagulants (warfarin, heparin) | Altered coagulation due to thrombocytopenia | Doctor decides on use; close INR monitoring |
| CYP1A2 inhibitors/inducers | May alter dacarbazine metabolism and efficacy | Inform oncologist of all medications |
Unlike live vaccines, inactivated (killed) vaccines such as influenza (injectable) and pneumococcal vaccines can generally be administered during dacarbazine treatment. However, your immune response to these vaccines may be reduced, so discuss the timing and necessity of vaccinations with your oncologist.
What Is the Correct Dosage of Dacarbazine medac?
Dacarbazine dosage is calculated based on your body surface area (BSA) in square meters and varies by cancer type. For melanoma, the typical dose is 200–250 mg/m² daily for 5 days every 3 weeks, or 850 mg/m² as a single dose every 3 weeks. For Hodgkin lymphoma (ABVD), 375 mg/m² is given every 15 days. For soft tissue sarcoma (ADIC), 250 mg/m² daily for 5 days every 3 weeks.
Dacarbazine medac is always administered under the supervision of an oncologist or hematologist experienced in cancer chemotherapy. You will be monitored closely during and after each infusion for signs of adverse effects. The drug is given as an intravenous (IV) injection or infusion. A rapid IV injection takes a few minutes, while a slow infusion typically takes 15 to 30 minutes. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate administration method based on the dose and your individual situation.
The dose of dacarbazine is calculated based on your body surface area (BSA), which is determined from your height and weight. Your oncologist will also take into account the type and stage of your cancer, your blood counts, your general health, any other treatments you are receiving, and how you have responded to previous cycles.
Metastatic Malignant Melanoma
Standard Dosing for Melanoma
Option A: 200–250 mg/m² body surface area per day, administered once daily for 5 consecutive days, repeated every 3 weeks. Given as a rapid IV injection or slow infusion over 15–30 minutes.
Option B: 850 mg/m² body surface area as a single dose every 3 weeks. Administered as a slow IV infusion. This higher single-dose regimen may be preferred in some clinical settings for patient convenience.
Hodgkin Lymphoma (ABVD Regimen)
Standard ABVD Dosing
Dacarbazine: 375 mg/m² body surface area, administered every 15 days as a slow IV infusion. Given in combination with doxorubicin, bleomycin, and vinblastine. The number of ABVD cycles depends on the stage of disease and treatment response, typically ranging from 2 to 8 cycles (1 to 4 months of treatment).
Soft Tissue Sarcoma (ADIC Regimen)
Standard ADIC Dosing
Dacarbazine: 250 mg/m² body surface area per day, administered once daily for 5 consecutive days, repeated every 3 weeks. Given as a slow IV infusion over 15–30 minutes in combination with doxorubicin (Adriamycin).
Special Populations
Kidney or liver impairment: If you have mild to moderate kidney or liver problems, a dose reduction is usually not necessary. However, if you have both kidney and liver impairment, the clearance of dacarbazine from your body is reduced, and your doctor may lower the dose accordingly. Close monitoring of organ function is essential throughout treatment.
Children: There is limited clinical data on the use of dacarbazine in pediatric patients. Your doctor will determine the appropriate dose based on the available evidence and the individual clinical situation. Specific dosage recommendations for children cannot be made until more data are available.
Elderly patients: No specific dose adjustments are recommended based on age alone. However, elderly patients may have reduced organ function, and dose adjustments may be necessary based on individual liver and kidney function and overall health status.
Overdose
An overdose of dacarbazine can lead to severe and potentially life-threatening bone marrow suppression. This can result in a complete loss of bone marrow function, with symptoms including signs of serious infection (due to very low white blood cells), abnormal bruising or bleeding (due to very low platelets), and extreme fatigue (due to very low red blood cells). These effects may not become apparent until approximately 2 weeks after the overdose.
If an overdose is suspected, contact your healthcare team or poison control center immediately. Treatment is supportive and may include blood transfusions, growth factor support, and management of any infections. There is no specific antidote for dacarbazine overdose.
What Are the Side Effects of Dacarbazine medac?
The most common side effects of dacarbazine are nausea and vomiting (which can be severe), loss of appetite, and bone marrow suppression causing low blood counts. Less common effects include hair loss, skin changes, and flu-like symptoms. Rare but serious effects include severe allergic reactions, liver damage, and neurological symptoms. Blood count changes typically reach their lowest point 3–4 weeks after treatment.
Like all chemotherapy drugs, dacarbazine can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them. Your oncologist will discuss these potential side effects with you and explain the balance of risks and benefits for your individual situation. Some side effects require immediate medical attention, while others can be managed with supportive care.
- Signs of infection, such as sore throat, fever, or chills
- Unusual bruising or bleeding
- Extreme or persistent fatigue
- Persistent or severe vomiting or diarrhea
- Severe allergic reaction (sudden itchy rash, swelling of hands, feet, face, lips, mouth or throat, difficulty breathing, feeling faint)
- Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice) due to liver problems
- Neurological symptoms: headache, vision changes, seizures, confusion, lethargy, or numbness/tingling in the face
- Severe liver disease caused by blockage of liver blood vessels (veno-occlusive disease) or Budd-Chiari syndrome — these are life-threatening complications
Common
May affect up to 1 in 10 patients
- Decreased red blood cells (anemia) causing fatigue and pallor
- Decreased white blood cells (leukopenia) increasing infection risk
- Decreased platelets (thrombocytopenia) increasing bleeding risk
- Loss of appetite (anorexia)
- Nausea and vomiting (can be very severe; anti-emetics are routinely prescribed)
Blood count changes are dose-dependent and delayed; lowest values typically occur 3–4 weeks after treatment.
Uncommon
May affect up to 1 in 100 patients
- Hair loss (alopecia)
- Increased skin pigmentation (hyperpigmentation)
- Photosensitivity (increased sensitivity to sunlight)
- Flu-like symptoms: fatigue, chills, fever, and muscle pain (may occur during or days after infusion, and may recur with subsequent cycles)
- Infections (due to immunosuppression)
Rare
May affect up to 1 in 1,000 patients
- Pancytopenia (decrease in all types of blood cells)
- Agranulocytosis (severe decrease in granulocytes, a type of white blood cell)
- Severe anaphylactic reaction (sudden drop in blood pressure, swelling, rapid pulse, hives, difficulty breathing)
- Headache, impaired vision, confusion, lethargy
- Seizures (convulsions)
- Facial paraesthesia (abnormal sensations in the face), facial numbness and flushing shortly after injection
- Diarrhea
- Elevated liver enzymes
- Impaired kidney function
- Skin redness (erythema), maculopapular rash, urticaria (hives)
- Injection site irritation; if extravasated (leaked outside the vein), can cause pain and tissue damage
Managing Common Side Effects
Nausea and vomiting are among the most significant side effects of dacarbazine. Modern anti-emetic regimens, including 5-HT3 receptor antagonists (such as ondansetron) and NK1 receptor antagonists (such as aprepitant), along with corticosteroids (such as dexamethasone), are highly effective at preventing and controlling chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Your oncologist will prescribe appropriate anti-emetic medications before and after each treatment cycle.
Bone marrow suppression is managed through regular blood count monitoring. If your blood counts drop to dangerously low levels, your treatment may be delayed, the dose may be reduced, or supportive measures such as blood transfusions or granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) injections may be administered. During periods of low white blood cell counts, you should take precautions to avoid infections, including frequent hand washing, avoiding crowded places, and monitoring for any signs of fever or infection.
Photosensitivity can be managed by avoiding direct sunlight and UV exposure, wearing protective clothing with long sleeves and wide-brimmed hats, and applying broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF to all exposed skin. This is particularly important if you are also receiving methoxsalen or other photosensitizing agents.
It is important to report any suspected side effects to your healthcare provider. You can also report side effects directly to your national pharmacovigilance authority (for example, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK, or the FDA MedWatch program in the US). Reporting helps to continuously monitor the benefit-risk balance of medicines.
How Should Dacarbazine medac Be Stored?
Unopened vials should be stored below 25°C, protected from light in the original carton. The shelf life is 3 years. Reconstituted solution is stable for 48 hours at 2–8°C protected from light, but should ideally be used immediately. Dacarbazine is for single use only; any remaining solution must be discarded.
Dacarbazine is highly light-sensitive. Exposure to light causes the drug to decompose, forming degradation products that are less effective and potentially more toxic. For this reason, the following storage and handling precautions are critical:
- Unopened vials: Store at or below 25°C (77°F). Keep the vials in their original outer carton to protect from light. Under these conditions, the shelf life is 3 years from the date of manufacture.
- Reconstituted solution: After reconstitution with water for injection, the solution has been shown to be stable for up to 48 hours when stored at 2–8°C (36–46°F) protected from light. However, from a microbiological standpoint, the product should be used immediately unless reconstitution has been performed under validated aseptic conditions.
- Reconstituted and further diluted solution: When diluted with sodium chloride 0.9% or glucose 5% solution, the diluted infusion is stable for 24 hours at 2–8°C protected from light in polyethylene containers and glass bottles, and for 2 hours at 25°C in polyethylene containers. From a microbiological perspective, immediate use is recommended.
- During administration: The infusion bag, tubing, and all equipment must be protected from daylight. This can be achieved using light-protective (amber-colored or UV-opaque) infusion sets, or by wrapping standard infusion equipment in UV-blocking foil.
Dacarbazine medac is for single use only. Any solution remaining after use must be disposed of according to local regulations for cytotoxic waste. The diluted infusion solution should be visually inspected before administration — only clear solutions that are essentially free of particles should be used. If the solution has visibly changed in appearance (such as developing a pink or red color, which indicates decomposition), it must be discarded.
Keep this medicine out of sight and reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date stated on the label and carton.
What Does Dacarbazine medac Contain?
Each vial of Dacarbazine medac 500 mg contains 500 mg of dacarbazine (as dacarbazine citrate) as the active ingredient. The inactive (excipient) ingredients are citric acid anhydrous and mannitol. The powder is white to light yellow and is supplied in brown glass vials.
Dacarbazine medac is presented as a white to light yellow powder for solution for infusion. The powder is supplied in brown (amber) glass vials (Type I, Ph.Eur.) that protect the contents from light. Each carton contains 1 vial.
Active Ingredient
The active substance is dacarbazine, present in the form of dacarbazine citrate. Each vial contains 500 mg of dacarbazine. After reconstitution with 50 mL of water for injection and subsequent dilution, the final infusion solution contains 1.4–2.0 mg/mL of dacarbazine.
Inactive Ingredients (Excipients)
- Citric acid anhydrous – acts as a pH buffer to maintain the stability of the solution
- Mannitol – a sugar alcohol that serves as a bulking agent and helps maintain the tonicity (osmotic balance) of the reconstituted solution
Reconstitution
For the 500 mg vial: 50 mL of water for injection is added to the vial under aseptic conditions and shaken until dissolved. This yields a solution containing 10 mg/mL dacarbazine. This concentrated solution must then be further diluted with 200–300 mL of sodium chloride 9 mg/mL (0.9%) or glucose 50 mg/mL (5%) solution for infusion. The resulting infusion solution contains 1.4–2.0 mg/mL dacarbazine and is ready for intravenous administration over 20–30 minutes.
International Availability
Dacarbazine medac is approved and marketed across the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom. It is available under the name Dacarbazine medac in most countries, including Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Austria. In Germany, it is marketed under the name Detimedac.
Dacarbazine is a cytotoxic agent with mutagenic, carcinogenic, and teratogenic properties. It should only be prepared and handled by trained healthcare professionals using appropriate personal protective equipment (gloves, eye protection, gown, mask) and following established cytotoxic handling guidelines. Handling of cytotoxic agents should generally be avoided during pregnancy.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dacarbazine medac
Dacarbazine medac is a chemotherapy drug used to treat three types of cancer: advanced malignant melanoma (a type of skin cancer), Hodgkin lymphoma (a cancer of the lymphatic system), and soft tissue sarcoma (cancers in muscles, fat, blood vessels, or other supportive tissues). It is always administered intravenously in a hospital setting under the supervision of a specialist oncologist or hematologist. In Hodgkin lymphoma, it is used as part of the ABVD combination regimen, and in soft tissue sarcoma, it is part of the ADIC regimen.
A dacarbazine infusion typically takes between 15 and 30 minutes, depending on the dose and infusion protocol. In some cases, particularly with lower doses, it may be given as a rapid intravenous injection over a few minutes. The drug must be protected from light during the entire infusion using light-protective equipment. Your medical team will monitor you during the infusion for any immediate reactions, such as pain at the injection site or allergic symptoms.
Dacarbazine is a photosensitive compound that decomposes when exposed to light, particularly ultraviolet and visible light. This decomposition produces degradation products that are less therapeutically active and may be more toxic. For this reason, the vials are supplied in amber (brown) glass containers, the reconstituted solution must be kept in the dark, and the infusion equipment must be protected from daylight during administration using light-opaque infusion sets or UV-protective foil wrapping.
Live vaccines (such as MMR, varicella, yellow fever, and oral polio) must not be given during dacarbazine treatment or for at least 3 months after the last dose, because dacarbazine suppresses your immune system and the live vaccine organisms could cause a serious infection. However, inactivated (killed) vaccines, such as the injectable influenza vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine, can generally be administered during treatment, although their effectiveness may be reduced. Always consult your oncologist before receiving any vaccination.
If dacarbazine leaks from the vein into the surrounding tissue (extravasation), it can cause significant pain and local tissue damage. If you notice burning, stinging, swelling, or redness at the injection site during the infusion, alert your nurse or doctor immediately. They will stop the infusion and take appropriate measures to minimize tissue injury. It is important to report any discomfort at the injection site promptly, no matter how minor it may seem, to prevent more serious damage.
Nausea and vomiting are common and potentially severe side effects of dacarbazine. Modern anti-emetic protocols have greatly improved management of chemotherapy-induced nausea. Your oncologist will typically prescribe a combination of anti-emetic medications, including 5-HT3 receptor antagonists (like ondansetron or granisetron), NK1 receptor antagonists (like aprepitant), and corticosteroids (like dexamethasone), given both before and after the infusion. Additional medications may be prescribed for delayed nausea. Eating small, frequent meals, staying hydrated, and avoiding strong odors can also help manage symptoms.
References and Medical Sources
All information in this article is based on internationally recognized medical guidelines, regulatory documents, and peer-reviewed research. The following sources have been used:
- European Medicines Agency (EMA). Dacarbazine – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC). EMA, 2024. Available from: www.ema.europa.eu
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Melanoma: Cutaneous. Version 3.2024. Available from: www.nccn.org
- European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO). Hodgkin Lymphoma: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines. Annals of Oncology, 2023. DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2023.10.123
- World Health Organization (WHO). WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, 23rd List. WHO, 2023. Available from: www.who.int/publications
- British National Formulary (BNF). Dacarbazine. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), 2024. Available from: bnf.nice.org.uk
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dacarbazine – FDA Prescribing Information. FDA, 2023. Available from: www.accessdata.fda.gov
- Middleton MR, et al. Randomized phase III study of temozolomide versus dacarbazine in the treatment of patients with advanced metastatic malignant melanoma. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 2000;18(1):158-166. DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2000.18.1.158
- Bonadonna G, et al. Combination chemotherapy of Hodgkin's disease with adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and imidazole carboxamide versus MOPP. Cancer, 1975;36(1):252-259.
- Antman K, et al. An intergroup phase III randomized study of doxorubicin and dacarbazine with or without ifosfamide and mesna in advanced soft tissue and bone sarcomas. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 1993;11(7):1276-1285.
Medical Editorial Team
This article has been written and reviewed by the iMedic Medical Editorial Team, consisting of licensed physicians with specialist qualifications in oncology, clinical pharmacology, and internal medicine. All medical claims are evidence-based and referenced to peer-reviewed sources and internationally recognized guidelines.
Medical Writing
iMedic Medical Editorial Team — Specialists in oncology, pharmacology, and evidence-based medicine
Medical Review
iMedic Medical Review Board — Independent panel following WHO, EMA, FDA, and NCCN guidelines
Evidence standard: Level 1A — based on systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials. All content follows the GRADE evidence framework and is updated when new clinical evidence or guideline changes are published.