Mitomycins
Mitomycins
Mitomycins (pronunciation: /ˌmaɪtəˈmaɪsɪnz/) are a group of antibiotics derived from the bacterium Streptomyces caespitosus. They are used as chemotherapeutic agents due to their ability to inhibit DNA synthesis in cancer cells.
Etymology
The term "Mitomycins" is derived from the bacterium Streptomyces caespitosus from which it was first isolated. The prefix "mito-" is derived from the Greek word "mitos" meaning thread, referring to the thread-like appearance of the bacterium. The suffix "-mycin" is commonly used in the naming of antibiotics.
Usage
Mitomycins are primarily used in the treatment of various types of cancer, including stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer, and breast cancer. They work by cross-linking DNA, which prevents the cancer cells from replicating and growing.
Related Terms
- Mitomycin C: A type of mitomycin that is commonly used in chemotherapy.
- Chemotherapy: The use of drugs to treat diseases such as cancer.
- DNA synthesis: The process by which DNA is copied.
- Antibiotic: A type of drug used to treat infections caused by bacteria.
Side Effects
Like all chemotherapeutic agents, mitomycins can have side effects. These can include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and fatigue. More serious side effects can include bone marrow suppression, which can lead to a decrease in white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Mitomycins
- Wikipedia's article - Mitomycins
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski