What type of agent is Cyclophosphamide classified as?

Cyclophosphamide is classified as a prodrug because it is metabolically activated in the liver to produce its active form, which exerts the therapeutic effects. Prodrugs are compounds that require metabolic conversion within the body to become pharmacologically active. In the case of cyclophosphamide, the conversion process involves multiple steps, and the activated metabolites induce DNA crosslinking, leading to cytotoxic effects primarily in rapidly dividing cancer cells. This mechanism of action is critical for its use in chemotherapy regimens. The classification as a prodrug highlights its unique metabolic pathway, differentiating it from agents that are active in their original form at the time of administration.