ACTINOMYCIN D Meaning and
Definition
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Actinomycin D is a potent and highly toxic drug derived from the bacterium Streptomyces parvulus. It belongs to a class of medications called antibiotics, specifically known as antitumor antibiotics. Actinomycin D is primarily used as a chemotherapy agent in the treatment of various types of cancer, including testicular, ovarian, cervical, and Wilms' tumors.
Actinomycin D works by inhibiting the enzyme RNA polymerase. This enzyme is responsible for the synthesis of RNA molecules in the cell. By interfering with this process, actinomycin D disrupts the ability of cancer cells to produce RNA, ultimately disrupting their ability to replicate and grow. Additionally, actinomycin D can intercalate into the DNA double helix, causing DNA strand breaks, further impairing cancer cell replication.
Due to its potent effects, actinomycin D is typically used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs to maximize its efficacy. It is administered through intravenous injection and may be given as a single dose or in a course of treatment.
Despite its effectiveness against cancer, actinomycin D can also have significant side effects. These may include bone marrow suppression, resulting in decreased production of red and white blood cells, as well as gastrointestinal disturbances, hair loss, and general malaise. Therefore, careful monitoring and management of these potential adverse effects are essential during actinomycin D treatment.
Common Misspellings for ACTINOMYCIN D
- zctinomycin d
- sctinomycin d
- wctinomycin d
- qctinomycin d
- axtinomycin d
- avtinomycin d
- aftinomycin d
- adtinomycin d
- acrinomycin d
- acfinomycin d
- acginomycin d
- acyinomycin d
- ac6inomycin d
- ac5inomycin d
- actunomycin d
- actjnomycin d
- actknomycin d
- actonomycin d
- act9nomycin d
- act8nomycin d
Etymology of ACTINOMYCIN D
The word "Actinomycin D" is derived from its components: "Actinomyces" and "mycin".
- "Actinomyces" refers to a group of filamentous bacteria that are commonly found in soil. It comes from the Greek words "aktis", meaning "ray" or "beam", and "mykēs", meaning "fungus". This is due to the appearance of the bacteria's filaments resembling rays or beams under a microscope.
- "Mycin" is a suffix frequently associated with antibiotics derived from microorganisms. It is traced back to the Greek word "mukēs", meaning "fungus".
So, "Actinomycin D" essentially means a compound derived from Actinomyces bacteria with antibiotic properties.
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