alkylating agent

(AL-kuh-LAY-ting AY-jent) A type of drug that is used in the treatment of cancer. It interferes with the cell's DNA and inhibits cancer cell growth.

A class of chemicals that transfer alkyl (methyl, ethyl, etc.) groups; for example to the bases in DNA. Some of these (especially ethyl methane sulphonate, abbreviated EMS) have been much used as mutagen s.