Which of these is a common alkylating agent?

Ifosfamide is classified as a common alkylating agent, which means it works by adding an alkyl group to DNA. This action results in cross-linking of DNA strands, ultimately preventing cancer cells from dividing and replicating. Alkylating agents are often used in chemotherapy because they can target and kill rapidly dividing cells, which characterizes many cancer types.

In the context of chemotherapy treatments, alkylating agents like ifosfamide are important because they have a broad spectrum of activity against various tumors and are effective in treating certain types of cancers, such as lymphomas and sarcomas. Their mechanism of action can lead to significant therapeutic benefits, especially in aggressive cancers where rapid cell division is evident.

The other options listed are not classified as alkylating agents. Cisplatin and carboplatin are platinum-based compounds that primarily act by forming cross-links in DNA, but they are not considered true alkylating agents. Gemcitabine, on the other hand, is a nucleoside analog that disrupts DNA synthesis and is classified under antimetabolites. These distinctions help clarify why ifosfamide stands out as the correct choice in this case.