Bleomycin (Blenoxane)
General information
Class/mechanism: Exact mechanism unknown, but suspected to inhibit DNA synthesis, with some evidence inhibition of RNA and protein synthesis. When administered intrapleurally for malignant pleural effusion, bleomycin acts as a sclerosing agent.[1]
Route: IV, IM, SC, intrapleural
Extravasation: irritant or neutral, depending on reference
- 1 unit of bleomycin = 1 mg of bleomycin
For conciseness and simplicity, HemOnc.org currently will focus on treatment regimens and not list information such as: renal/hepatic dose adjustments, metabolism (including CYP450), excretion, monitoring parameters (although this will be considered for checklists), or manufacturer. Instead, for the most current information, please refer to your preferred pharmacopeias such as Micromedex, Lexicomp, Medscape, UpToDate (courtesy of Lexicomp), or the prescribing information.[1]
Diseases for which it is used
- Basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer
- Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
- Follicular lymphoma
- HIV-associated lymphoma
- Hodgkin lymphoma
- Hodgkin lymphoma, nodular lymphocyte-predominant
- Osteosarcoma
- Penile cancer
- Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder
- Soft tissue sarcoma
- Testicular cancer
- Unknown primary
Patient drug information
- Bleomycin (Blenoxane) patient drug information (Chemocare)[2]
- Bleomycin (Blenoxane) patient drug information (UpToDate)[3]
History of changes in FDA indication
- 7/31/1973: Initial FDA approval
References
- Drug index
- Chemotherapy
- Intracavitary medications
- Intramuscular medications
- Intravenous medications
- Subcutaneous medications
- Irritant chemotherapy
- Neutral chemotherapy
- DNA synthesis inhibitors
- Basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer medications
- Cancer of unknown primary medications
- Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma medications
- HIV-associated lymphoma medications
- Hodgkin lymphoma medications
- Hodgkin lymphoma, nodular lymphocyte-predominant medications
- Osteosarcoma medications
- Penile cancer medications
- Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder medications
- Soft tissue sarcoma medications
- Testicular cancer medications
- Drugs FDA approved in 1973
- WHO Essential Cancer Medicine