Although classified as antibiotics, dactinomycin (Cosmegen) and plicamycin (Mithracin) are used in cancer chemotherapy because they have a (an):
- A) Immunosuppresant effect
- B) Antiviral effect
- C) Ability to "sterilize" blood
- D) Anabolic effect
- E) Cytotoxic effect***
The answer is E) Cytotoxic effect.
Dactinomycin (Cosmegen) and plicamycin (Mithracin) are both cytotoxic antibiotics, which means that they kill cancer cells. They do this by damaging DNA, which prevents the cells from dividing and growing.
The other answer choices are incorrect:
- A) Immunosuppressant drugs suppress the immune system. This is useful in treating autoimmune diseases, but it can also make people more susceptible to infection.
- B) Antiviral drugs kill or inhibit the growth of viruses.
- C) Drugs that can "sterilize" blood are typically used to treat blood infections.
- D) Anabolic drugs promote the growth of muscle tissue.
Dactinomycin and plicamycin are used to treat a variety of cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumors such as lung cancer and ovarian cancer. They are typically used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs.
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