Streptozocin; a Class of Drug Used To Treat Metastatic Islet Cell Cancer of Pancreas
Streptozocin Market |
Streptozocin is an anti-tumor antibiotic consisting of a nitrosourea
moiety interposed between a methyl group and glucosamine. Streptozocin is an
anti-cancer (antineoplastic or cytotoxic) chemotherapy drug and is classified
as an alkylating agent. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
approved this drug to treat pancreatic islet cells cancer. It is used to treat
cancer of the pancreas that has gotten worse or spread to other parts of the
body and works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells in the body.
Because it carries a high risk of toxicity and
rarely cures cancer, its use is generally limited to patients whose cancer
cannot be surgically removed. Moreover, in the medical field, it is used as a
chemotherapeutic drug to treat certain cancers of the islets of Langerhans, as
well as to induce diabetes in experimental animals. Streptozocin-induced
diabetic models develop type 1 diabetes, due to the cytotoxic glucose analog
streptozotocin that is toxic to pancreatic β-cells and causes insulin deficiency.
Streptozocin is a naturally occurring
anticancer antibiotic/drug that has a mechanism of action similar to
that of nitrosourea. It works by sticking to one of the DNA strands of the
cancer cell so the cell can't divide into 2 new cells. However, if the patient
experiences certain side effects, the doctor may need to stop or delay the
treatment. Common side effects may include nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting,
diarrhea, confusion, drowsiness, depression, and/or injection site reactions
(burning, redness, swelling, or tenderness).
In order to treat an infection, people should only take streptozocin
under the supervision of a physician. Moreover, it is important to keep it out
of the reach of children and should never share it with anyone else. Only use
it for the indication that is prescribed. Streptozocin is used to treat
neuroendocrine tumors, such as pancreatic islet cells tumors, and is used in
combination with chemotherapy drugs such as doxorubicin and fluorouracil (5FU).
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