Actinomycin D / Dactinomycin

• Mechanism of Action
• Binds to DNA, resulting in prevention of RNA transcription and protein synthesis.
• • Pharmacology
  • Bone marrow-sparing, therefore often used when other antineoplastics are contraindicated.

Clinical Use

• • Indication
  • Certain solid organ and haematologic organ malignancies, as guided by cancer specialists and local guidelines.
• • Adverse Effects
  • Nausea / vomiting / diarrhoea / anorexia
  • Pneumonitis
  • Alopecia
  • Soft tissue damage (if extravasation)
• • Monitoring
  • Lung function.