Bleomycin

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Bleomycin

Bleomycin (pronounced: /ˌbliːoʊˈmaɪsɪn/) is a medication primarily used in the treatment of several types of cancer, including testicular cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and cervical cancer. It is often used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs.

Etymology

The term "Bleomycin" is derived from the bacterium Streptomyces verticillus from which it was first isolated. The bacterium was named after the Greek word "bleo", meaning "to throw", and "mycin", a common suffix for antibiotics.

Usage

Bleomycin is administered intravenously, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously. It works by causing breaks in DNA strands, thereby inhibiting DNA synthesis and preventing cancer cells from dividing and growing.

Side Effects

Common side effects of Bleomycin include fever, chills, skin rash, and hair loss. More serious side effects may include lung damage, which can lead to pulmonary fibrosis, a serious and potentially fatal lung disease.

Related Terms

  • Chemotherapy: A type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells.
  • DNA synthesis: The process by which DNA is copied.
  • Pulmonary fibrosis: A lung disease that occurs when lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred.

See Also

External links

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