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 is 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

Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; Antibiotics, Glycopeptide; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic

  • For palliative treatment in the management of malignant neoplasm (trachea, bronchus, lung), squamous cell carcinoma, and lymphomas.
  • Bleomycin is a cytotoxic antibiotic that is used as an anticancer agent in the therapy of testicular and germ cell cancers, Hodgkin’s disease, lymphomas, and tumors of the head and neck.
  • Therapy with bleomycin in combination with other agents is often associated with mild-to-moderate serum enzyme elevations but is a rare cause of clinically apparent liver injury.
  • Bleomycin is indicated in the treatment of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (including the mouth, tongue, tonsil, nasopharynx, oropharynx, sinus, palate, lip, buccal mucosa, gingiva, epiglottis, and larynx and paralarynx), cervix, penis, skin and vulva. It is also indicated for the treatment of testicular carcinoma (including embryonal cell carcinoma, choriocarcinoma, and teratocarcinoma), esophageal, and thyroid carcinomas.
  • Bleomycin is indicated for the treatment of Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas.
  • Bleomycin is indicated in the treatment of AIDS-associated Kaposi’s sarcoma.
  • For more Therapeutic Uses (Complete) data for BLEOMYCIN (12 total),

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

  • Hodgkin lymphoma.
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).
  • Squamous cell carcinoma of the penis.
  • Squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.
  • Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).
  • Squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva.
  • Testicular cancer.

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.

Contraindications

  • Bleomycin for Injection is contraindicated in patients who have demonstrated a hypersensitive or idiosyncratic reaction to it.
  • Bleomycin for Injection is contraindicated in patients who have demonstrated a hypersensitive or idiosyncratic reaction to it.

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

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

Testicular Cancer

  • 0.25 to 0.5 units/kg (10 to 20 units/m2) IV, IM, or subcutaneously 1 to 2 times a week

Hodgkin’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

Side Effects

The Most Common

  • 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.

More Common

  • skin redness, dark streaks, or discoloration;
  • fingernail or toenail changes;
  • Darkening or thickening of skin
  • dark stripes on skin
  • itching of skin
  • skin rash or colored bumps on fingertips, elbows, or palms
  • skin redness or tenderness
  • swelling of fingers
  • vomiting and loss of appetite

Less common

  • Changes in fingernails or toenails
  • weight loss
  • Cough
  • shortness of breath
  • fever, chills, vomiting, not feeling well;
  • rash, itching; or
  • hair loss.

Drug Interactions

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy

Bleomycin is FDA pregnancy risk category D and can harm the fetus when given during pregnancy. Animal studies reveal abortifacient and/or teratogenic effects. Bleomycin should be given to pregnant women only when the benefit to the mother outweighs the risk to the fetus. Females of childbearing potential should be advised to avoid becoming pregnant while receiving bleomycin. If bleomycin is used during pregnancy or if a patient becomes pregnant while receiving bleomycin, the patient should be made aware of the potential harm to the fetus.

Breast-feeding

It is not known whether bleomycin is excreted into breast milk. Many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from bleomycin, breastfeeding is not advised, and patients should be instructed to discontinue breastfeeding during bleomycin therapy.

References

  1. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Bleomycin-sulfate
  2. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/46930981
  3. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Bleomycin
  4. https://www.pdr.net/drug-summary/Bleomycin-bleomycin-sulfate
  5. https://www.pfizermedicalinformation.com/en-us/node/310376/pi_section/field_spl_boxed_warning
  6. https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00909
  7. https://www.drugs.com/mtm/bleomycin.html
  8. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/bleomycin
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