| Item |
Information |
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Drug Groups
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approved |
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Description
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A compound composed of a two cyclic peptides attached to a phenoxazine that is derived from streptomyces parvullus. It binds to DNA and inhibits RNA synthesis (transcription), with chain elongation more sensitive than initiation, termination, or release. As a result of impaired mRNA production, protein synthesis also declines after dactinomycin therapy. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual, 1993, p2015) |
| Indication |
For the treatment of Wilms' tumor, childhood rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma and metastatic, nonseminomatous testicular cancer as part of a combination chemotherapy and/or multi-modality treatment regimen |
| Pharmacology |
Generally, the actinomycins exert an inhibitory effect on gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and on some fungi. However, the toxic properties of the actinomycins (including dactinomycin) in relation to antibacterial activity are such as to preclude their use as antibiotics in the treatment of infectious diseases. Because the actinomycins are cytotoxic, they have an antineoplastic effect which has been demonstrated in experimental animals with various types of tumor implant. This cytotoxic action is the basis for their use in the treatment of certain types of cancer. Dactinomycin is believed to produce its cytotoxic effects by binding DNA and inhibiting RNA synthesis. |
| Toxicity |
hepatoxicity |
| Affected Organisms |
| • |
Humans and other mammals |
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| Biotransformation |
hepatic |
| Absorption |
poorly absorbed from gastrointestinal tract |
| Half Life |
36 hours |
| Protein Binding |
5% |
| References |
| • |
Sobell HM: Actinomycin and DNA transcription. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1985 Aug;82(16):5328-31.
[Pubmed]
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Turan T, Karacay O, Tulunay G, Boran N, Koc S, Bozok S, Kose MF: Results with EMA/CO (etoposide, methotrexate, actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide, vincristine) chemotherapy in gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2006 May-Jun;16(3):1432-8.
[Pubmed]
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| • |
Abd El-Aal HH, Habib EE, Mishrif MM: Wilms' tumor: the experience of the pediatric unit of Kasr El-Aini center of radiation oncology and nuclear medicine (NEMROCK). J Egypt Natl Canc Inst. 2005 Dec;17(4):308-14.
[Pubmed]
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Khatua S, Nair CN, Ghosh K: Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia following dactinomycin therapy in a child with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma: the unresolved issues. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2004 Nov;26(11):777-9.
[Pubmed]
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| External Links |
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