Bleomycin – Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Interaction

Mechanism of Action

Although the exact mechanism of action of bleomycin is unknown, available evidence would seem to indicate that the main mode of action is the inhibition of DNA synthesis with some evidence of lesser inhibition of RNA and protein synthesis. As evident in _in vitro_ studies, the DNA-cleaving actions of bleomycin are dependent on oxygen and metal ions. It is believed that bleomycin chelates metal ions (primarily iron) producing a pseudonym that reacts with oxygen to produce superoxide and hydroxide free radicals that cleave DNA.

or

The cytotoxic action of bleomycin results from its ability to cause fragmentation of DNA. Studies in vitro indicate that bleomycin causes the accumulation of cells in the G2 phase of the cell cycle, and many of these cells display chromosomal aberrations, incl chromatid breaks, gaps, and fragments, as well as translocations. Bleomycin appears to cause the scission of DNA by interacting with oxygen and iron(2+). In the presence of oxygen and a reducing agent, such as dithiothreitol, the metallobleomycin complex becomes activated and functions mechanistically as a ferrous oxidase, transferring electrons from iron(2) to molecular oxygen to produce activated species of oxygen. It has also been shown that metallobleomycin complexes can be activated by a reaction with the flavin enzyme, NADPH-cytochrome p450 reductase. Bleomycin binds to DNA through its amino-terminal peptide, and the activated complex generates free radicals that are responsible for the scission of the DNA chain.

Indications

  • For palliative treatment in the management of malignant neoplasm (trachea, bronchus, lung), squamous cell carcinoma, and lymphomas.
  • Lymphoma, Hodgkins
  • Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL)
  • Pleural Effusion, Malignant
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
  • Teratocarcinoma
  • Testicular Choriocarcinoma
  • Testicular Embryonal Carcinoma

Use in Cancer

Bleomycin sulfate is approved to be used alone or with other drugs as palliative treatment of:

Bleomycin sulfate is also approved to treat malignant pleural effusion and keep it from recurring (coming back).

Bleomycin sulfate is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

Contraindication

  • Hypersensitivity to the active component or any of the ingredients
  • a type of inflammation of the lung called interstitial pneumonitis
  • a condition where there is a formation of fibrous tissue in the lung called pulmonary fibrosis
  • pregnancy
  • a patient who is producing milk and breastfeeding
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • chronic kidney disease stage 3A (moderate)
  • chronic kidney disease stage 3B (moderate)
  • chronic kidney disease stage 4 (severe)
  • chronic kidney disease stage 5 (failure)
  • kidney disease with likely reduction in kidney function

Dosage

Strengths: 15 units; 30 units; 15,000 intl units

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

  • 0.25 to 0.5 units/kg (10 to 20 units/m2) IV, IM, or subcutaneously 1 to 2 times a week
  • Squamous cell carcinoma sometimes requires 3 weeks before any improvement is noted.
  • When this drug is used in combination with other antineoplastic agents, pulmonary toxicities may occur at lower doses.

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

  • 0.25 to 0.5 units/kg (10 to 20 units/m2) IV, IM, or subcutaneously 1 to 2 times a week
  • Because of the possibility of an anaphylactic reaction, the manufacturer recommends that lymphoma patients be treated with 2 units or less for the first 2 doses. If no acute reaction occurs, then the regular dosage schedule may be followed.

Testicular Cancer

  • 0.25 to 0.5 units/kg (10 to 20 units/m2) IV, IM, or subcutaneously 1 to 2 times a weekHodgkin’s Disease
  • 0.25 to 0.5 units/kg (10 to 20 units/m2) IV, IM, or subcutaneously 1 to 2 times a week; after a 50% response, a maintenance dose of 1 unit daily or 5 units weekly IV or IM should be given

Malignant Pleural Effusion

  • 60 units administered as a single bolus intrapleural injection
  • When this drug is used in combination with other antineoplastic agents, pulmonary toxicities may occur at lower doses.

Renal Dose Adjustments

The manufacturer recommends the following dose adjustments in patients with renal impairment:

  • CrCl 50 mL/minute or greater: No adjustment is recommended.
  • CrCl 40 to 50 mL/minute: Administer 70% of the normal dose.
  • CrCl 30 to 40 mL/minute: Administer 60% of the normal dose.
  • CrCl 20 to 30 mL/minute: Administer 55% of the normal dose.
  • CrCl 10 to 20 mL/minute: Administer 45% of the normal dose.
  • CrCl 5 to 10 mL/minute: Administer 40% of the normal dose.

Side Effects

The Most Common

  • redness, blistering, tenderness, or thickening of the skin
  • darkened skin color
  • rash
  • hair loss
  • sores on the mouth or tongue
  • vomiting
  • loss of appetite
  • weight loss
  • sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body
  • sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding
  • sudden dizziness. loss of balance or coordination
  • sudden severe headache
  • chest pain
  • decreased urination

More Common

  • appetite loss or weight loss
  • changes in fingernails or toenails
  • increased pigmentation of the skin
  • nausea and vomiting
  • skin rash; itching; colored bumps; or peeling of fingertips, elbows, or palms
  • sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, dry cough, tiredness;
  • a light-headed feeling, feeling like you might pass out;
  • loss of appetite, weight loss;
  • sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, problems with vision or speech;
  • blisters or ulcers in your mouth, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing;
  • unusual hardening of your skin; or
  • swelling, numbness, tingling or cold feeling in your fingers.
  • skin redness or tenderness
  • swelling or redness of the hands and feet
  • temporary loss of hair

Rare

  • signs of infection (symptoms may include fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness)
  • signs of kidney problems (e.g., decreased urination, nausea, vomiting, swelling of the feet and ankles)
  • signs of liver problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools)
  • signs of lung inflammation (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, noisy breathing, decreased blood pressure)
  • sores in mouth and on lips
  • confusion
  • fever and chills occurring within 4 to 10 hours of dose; may last up to 48 hours
  • signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
  • sudden and severe chest pain
  • wheezing

Drug Interaction

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Pregnancy and Lactation

FDA Pregnancy Category D 

Pregnancy

Studies of this medication have not been done with pregnant women. There is a possibility of birth defects if either the father or mother is using bleomycin at the time of conception, or if it is taken during pregnancy. Effective birth control should be practiced while using this medication. Tell the doctor immediately if you become pregnant while using this medication.

Lactation

Most sources consider breastfeeding to be contraindicated during maternal antineoplastic drug therapy. It might be possible to breastfeed safely during intermittent therapy with an appropriate period of breastfeeding abstinence. Although no data are available to determine an appropriate period to withhold breastfeeding, the drug’s terminal half-life of 4 hours with normal kidney function suggests that withholding breastfeeding for at least 24 hours may be sufficient. This period may be longer in patients with impaired kidney function. Chemotherapy may adversely affect the normal microbiome and chemical makeup of breast milk. Women who receive chemotherapy during pregnancy are more likely to have difficulty nursing their infant.

How should this medicine be used?

Bleomycin comes as a powder to be mixed with liquid and injected intravenously (into a vein), intramuscularly (into a muscle), or subcutaneously (under the skin) by a doctor or nurse in a medical office or hospital outpatient department. It is usually injected once or twice a week. When bleomycin is used to treat pleural effusions, it is mixed with liquid and placed in the chest cavity through a chest tube (plastic tube that is placed in the chest cavity through a cut in the skin).

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking bleomycin,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to bleomycin or any of the ingredients in bleomycin injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements, you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to monitor you carefully for side effects.
  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or lung disease.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. You should not become pregnant while you are receiving bleomycin injections. If you become pregnant while receiving bleomycin, call your doctor. Bleomycin may harm the fetus.
  • if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are receiving bleomycin.

References

  1. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Bleomycin
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555895/
  3. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682125.html
  4. https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-5069/bleomycin-injection/details/list-contraindications
  5. https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00290
  6. https://www.drugs.com/mtm/bleomycin.html
  7. https://www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/bleomycin-for-injection-by-pfizer
  8. ChemIDplus Chemical Information Classification
  9. LICENSE
    The code for LOTUS is released under the GNU General Public License v3.0.
  10. NCI Thesaurus Tree
  11. LICENSE
    The Natural Products Atlas is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
  12. IARC Classification
  13. PubChem
  14. Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  15. NCBI