Drug Groups

approved

Description

An antineoplastic antibiotic produced by Streptomyces caespitosus. It is one of the bi- or tri-functional alkylating agents causing cross-linking of DNA and inhibition of DNA synthesis. [PubChem]

Indication

For treatment of malignant neoplasm of lip, oral cavity, pharynx, digestive organs, peritoneum, female breast, and urinary bladder. Also used as an adjunct to ab externo glaucoma surgery.

Pharmacology

Mitomycin is one of the older chemotherapy drugs, which has been around and in use for decades. It is an antibiotic which has been shown to have antitumor activity. Mitomycin selectively inhibits the synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The guanine and cytosine content correlates with the degree of mitomycin-induced cross-linking. At high concentrations of the drug, cellular RNA and protein synthesis are also suppressed. Mitomycin has been shown in vitro to inhibit B cell, T cell, and macrophage proliferation and impair antigen presentation, as well as the secretion of interferon gamma, TNFa, and IL-2.

Toxicity

Oral, mouse: LD₅₀ = 23 mg/kg; Oral, rat: LD₅₀ = 30 mg/kg. Symptoms of overdose include nausea and vomiting.

Affected Organisms

Biotransformation

Primarily hepatic, some in various other tissues.

Absorption

Erratic.

Half Life

8-48 min

Elimination

Approximately 10% of a dose of mitomycin is excreted unchanged in the urine.

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