Bleomycin sulfate
Bleomycin Sulfate
Bleomycin sulfate (pronounced: blee-oh-MY-sin sul-fate) is a chemotherapy drug used in the treatment of several types of cancer, including testicular cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and cervical cancer. It is a mixture of cytotoxic glycopeptide antibiotics produced by the bacterium Streptomyces verticillus.
Etymology
The term "Bleomycin" is derived from the Japanese word 'bleo', which means "cure", and 'mycin', a common suffix for antibiotics derived from Streptomyces species. The 'sulfate' part of the name refers to the sulfate salt form in which the drug is often administered.
Mechanism of Action
Bleomycin sulfate works by binding to DNA, causing strand breaks and inhibiting DNA synthesis. This leads to cell cycle arrest and ultimately, cell death. The exact mechanism of action is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve the generation of reactive oxygen species.
Side Effects
Common side effects of bleomycin sulfate include nausea, vomiting, and skin changes such as rash or hyperpigmentation. More serious side effects can include pulmonary toxicity, which can lead to pulmonary fibrosis.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Bleomycin sulfate
- Wikipedia's article - Bleomycin sulfate
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski