| Item |
Information |
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Drug Groups
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approved |
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Description
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An antibiotic that is produced by Stretomyces achromogenes. It is used as an antineoplastic agent and to induce diabetes in experimental animals. [PubChem] |
| Indication |
For the treatment of malignant neoplasms of pancreas (metastatic islet cell carcinoma). |
| Pharmacology |
Streptozocin is an antitumour antibiotic consisting of a nitrosourea moiety interposed between a methyl group and a glucosamine. Streptozocin is indicated in the treatment of metastatic islet cell carcinoma of the pancreas. Streptozocin inhibits DNA synthesis in bacterial and mammalian cells. In bacterial cells, a specific interaction with cytosine moieties leads to degradation of DNA. The biochemical mechanism leading to mammalian cell death has not been definitely established; streptozocin inhibits cell proliferation at a considerably lower level than that needed to inhibit precursor incorporation into DNA or to inhibit several of the enzymes involved in DNA synthesis. Although streptozocin inhibits the progression of cells into mitosis, no specific phase of the cell cycle is particularly sensitive to its lethal effects. |
| Toxicity |
Symptoms of overdose include nausea and vomiting, anorexia, myelosuppression; and nephrotoxicity. |
| Affected Organisms |
| • |
Humans and other mammals |
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| Biotransformation |
Primarily hepatic |
| Absorption |
Poor oral absorption (17-25%) |
| Half Life |
5-15 minutes |
| Elimination |
As much as 20% of the drug (or metabolites containing an N-nitrosourea group) is metabolized and/or excreted by the kidney. |
| References |
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[Link]
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Brentjens R, Saltz L: Islet cell tumors of the pancreas: the medical oncologist's perspective. Surg Clin North Am. 2001 Jun;81(3):527-42.
[Pubmed]
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Wang Z, Gleichmann H: GLUT2 in pancreatic islets: crucial target molecule in diabetes induced with multiple low doses of streptozotocin in mice. Diabetes. 1998 Jan;47(1):50-6.
[Pubmed]
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Schnedl WJ, Ferber S, Johnson JH, Newgard CB: STZ transport and cytotoxicity. Specific enhancement in GLUT2-expressing cells. Diabetes. 1994 Nov;43(11):1326-33.
[Pubmed]
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VAVRA JJ, DEBOER C, DIETZ A, HANKA LJ, SOKOLSKI WT: Streptozotocin, a new antibacterial antibiotic. Antibiot Annu. 1959-1960;7:230-5.
[Pubmed]
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Mansford KR, Opie L: Comparison of metabolic abnormalities in diabetes mellitus induced by streptozotocin or by alloxan. Lancet. 1968 Mar 30;1(7544):670-1.
[Pubmed]
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| External Links |
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