This patient-friendly article is about chemotherapy drug, Mitomycin which is to treat used for breast, bladder, stomach, pancreatic, lung, oesophagael cancers. It is actually an antibiotic isolated from the bacterium Streptomyces caespitosus and other Streptomyces bacterial species. However, it can be used as a cytoxic (cancer killing) drug. Bio-reduced Mitomycin C generates oxygen radicals and alkylates both DNA and RNA, inhibiting protein and DNA synthesis at high concentrations. However, it will thus damage healthy cells too. The British Journal of Cancer reports Canadian research that using fumaric acid (an extract from natural fruits and vegetables) enhances the effect of Mitomycin so lower doses can be used.
Side effects may include: lowered resistance to infection, anaemia, diarrhoea; mouth ulcers, tiredness but less likelihood of hair loss and nausea.
Go to: 10 ways to improve your chemotherapy success and reduce side-effects
Other articles that you may find interesting are:
- A diet for Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy overview
- A to Z Guide to Complementary Therapies
Go to: Return to the CANCERactive drug list