What it's for (Indications)
- Dactinomycin is indicated for the treatment of various cancers, including Wilms Tumor, Rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing Sarcoma, Metastatic Nonseminomatous Testicular Cancer, and Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia (non-metastatic, low-risk metastatic, and high-risk metastatic disease).
Dosage Information
| Type | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Standard | Dactinomycin is administered intravenously as part of multi-agent chemotherapy regimens. Specific dosages are: - Wilms Tumor: 45 mcg/kg IV once every 3 to 6 weeks for up to 26 weeks. - Rhabdomyosarcoma: 15 mcg/kg IV once daily for 5 days every 3 to 9 weeks for up to 112 weeks. - Ewing Sarcoma: 1250 mcg/m² IV once every 3 weeks for 51 weeks. - Metastatic Nonseminomatous Testicular Cancer: 1000 mcg/m² IV every 3 weeks, as part of a cisplatin-based regimen. - Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia: For non-metastatic and low-risk metastatic disease, 12 mcg/kg IV daily for 5 days as a single agent. For high-risk metastatic disease, 500 mcg IV (further details not provided). |
Safety & Warnings
Common Side Effects
- Common adverse reactions include infection, alopecia, rash, dysphagia, fatigue, fever, nausea, vomiting, anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, mucositis, and hepatotoxicity.
- Serious adverse reactions include secondary malignancy and leukemia, veno-occlusive disease, extravasation, myelosuppression, severe mucocutaneous reactions, renal toxicity, hepatotoxicity, and potentiation of radiation toxicity and radiation recall.
Serious Warnings
- Black Box Warning: None
- Patients should be monitored for serious adverse reactions including secondary malignancy and leukemia, veno-occlusive disease, extravasation (which can cause severe local tissue damage), myelosuppression, severe mucocutaneous reactions, renal toxicity, and hepatotoxicity.
- Dactinomycin can potentiate radiation toxicity and cause radiation recall.
- Immunizations should be carefully considered due to potential immunosuppressive effects.
How it Works (Mechanism of Action)
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.
Commercial Brands (Alternatives)
No other brands found for this formula.