DACTINOMYCIN Meaning and
Definition
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Dactinomycin, also known by its trade name Cosmegen, is a potent chemotherapy medication primarily used for the treatment of various types of cancer. It is classified as an antineoplastic agent and belongs to the class of medications known as anthracyclines.
Dactinomycin works by inhibiting the synthesis of DNA and RNA, which are essential for the growth and replication of cancer cells. It binds to the DNA molecule, preventing its separation and blocking the action of enzymes involved in DNA replication. This inhibitory effect on DNA leads to the suppression of cancer cell division and growth.
This medication is commonly used in the treatment of childhood cancers, such as Wilms tumor, rhabdomyosarcoma, and Ewing sarcoma. It may also be used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs or radiation therapy to enhance treatment effectiveness or help shrink tumors before surgery.
Dactinomycin is administered via intravenous (IV) injection with dosage and duration determined by several factors, including the patient's age, weight, medical condition, and specific cancer being treated. Like most chemotherapy drugs, dactinomycin can have side effects. These may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss, decreased appetite, low blood cell counts, and increased risk of infection.
It is important for patients receiving dactinomycin to be closely monitored by a healthcare professional to observe and manage any potential adverse effects. Additionally, this medication should be handled and administered by trained professionals in a hospital or clinical setting due to its potent effects and potential toxicity.
Common Misspellings for DACTINOMYCIN
- xactinomycin
- cactinomycin
- factinomycin
- ractinomycin
- eactinomycin
- dzctinomycin
- dsctinomycin
- dwctinomycin
- dqctinomycin
- daxtinomycin
- davtinomycin
- daftinomycin
- dadtinomycin
- dacrinomycin
- dacfinomycin
- dacginomycin
- dacyinomycin
- dac6inomycin
- dac5inomycin
- dactunomycin
Etymology of DACTINOMYCIN
The word "Dactinomycin" is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "daktulos" which means "finger" or "toe" and "mýkes" which means "fungus". These two words combine to form "Dactinomycin", which refers to a type of antibiotic that is derived from the bacterium Streptomyces bacteria. The name is attributed to the fact that the drug was initially isolated from Actinomycetes, a group of bacteria that have a filamentous, finger-like appearance.
