Dactinomycin

  • Medicine Name: Dacilon
  • API: Dactinomycin
  • Packaging: single-dose vial
  • Strength: 0.5 mg
  • Manufactured by: Celon Laboratories Limited
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Description

Healthcare professionals recommend to use of Dactinomycin 0.5 mg injection in treating patients with:

  • Wilms tumor, as part of a multiphase, combination chemotherapy regimen.
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma, as part of a multiphase, combination chemotherapy regimen.
  • Ewing sarcoma, as part of a multiphase, combination chemotherapy regimen.
  • Metastatic, nonseminomatous testicular cancer, as part of a multiphase, combination chemotherapy regimen.
  • Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, as a single agent or as part of a combination chemotherapy regimen.
  • Locally recurrent or locoregional solid malignancies as a component of palliative or adjunctive regional perfusion.

Dosage and Side Effects

  • Wilms Tumor: The recommended dose is 45 mcg/kg intravenously once every 3 to 6 weeks for up to 26 weeks as part of a multi-agent combination chemotherapy regimen.

  • Rhabdomyosarcoma: The recommended dose is 15 mcg/kg intravenously once daily for 5 days every 3 to 9 weeks for up to 112 weeks, as part of a multi-agent combination chemotherapy regimen.

  • Ewing Sarcoma: The recommended dose is 1250 mcg/m2 intravenously once every 3 weeks for 51 weeks, as part of a multi-agent combination chemotherapy regimen.

  • Metastatic Nonseminomatous Testicular Cancer: The recommended dose is 1000 mcg/m2 intravenously every 3 weeks as part of a cisplatin-based, multi-drug chemotherapy regimen.

  • Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia: 

    • Non-metastatic and Low-risk Metastatic Disease: The recommended dose of Dactinomycin injection is 12 mcg/kg intravenously daily for 5 days, as a single agent. 

    •  High-risk Metastatic Disease: The recommended dose is 500 mcg intravenously on Days 1 and 2 every 2 weeks for up to 8 weeks, as part of a multi-agent combination chemotherapy regimen.

  • Regional Perfusion in Locally Recurrent and Locoregional Solid Malignancies: 
    • Lower Extremity or Pelvis: The recommended dose is 50 mcg/kg once with melphalan. 

    • Upper Extremity: The recommended dose is 35 mcg/kg once with melphalan. 

The common side effects of Dactinomycin are infection, alopecia, rash, dysphagia, fatigue, fever, nausea, vomiting, anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, mucositis, and hepatotoxicity.

Warning and Precautions

  • Secondary Malignancy or Leukemia: Increased risk of secondary malignancies following treatment. 

  • Veno-occlusive Disease: Can cause severe or fatal VOD. Monitor for elevations in AST, ALT, total bilirubin, hepatomegaly, weight gain, or ascites. Consider delaying the next dose. 

  • Extravasation: Immediately interrupt the injection or infusion and apply ice. 

  • Myelosuppression: Monitor blood cell counts before each cycle. Delay the next dose if severe myelosuppression has not improved. 

  • Immunizations: Vaccination with live viral vaccines is not recommended before or during treatment.

FAQ's

Who discovered dactinomycin?

Dactinomycin (dak” tin oh my sin) is one of the actinomycins, anticancer antibiotics that were discovered by Selman Waksman and colleagues in the 1940s using fermentation exacts from bacteria (Streptomyces).

Why is Dactinomycin used?

Healthcare professionals recommend the use of Dactinomycin in treating patients with Wilms tumor, Rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, Metastatic, nonseminomatous testicular cancer, Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, solid malignancies. 

What is the cost of Dactinomycin?

The cost of Dactinomycin is reasonable, and one can purchase this medicine from any certified pharmaceutical supplier worldwide.  

What is the action of Dactinomycin?

Dactinomycin is a cytotoxic actinomycin that binds DNA and inhibits RNA synthesis. The cytotoxic activity of dactinomycin has been demonstrated in animal models of different human cancers.