bleomycin

bleo·my·cin .blē-ə-'mīs-ən n a mixture of glycoprotein antibiotics derived from a streptomyces (Streptomyces verticillus) and used in the form of the sulfates as an antineoplastic agent

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n.

an antibiotic with action against cancer cells (see cytotoxic drug), used in the treatment of Hodgkin's disease and other lymphomas and in squamous cell carcinoma. It is administered by injection and can cause toxic side-effects in the skin and lungs; it should not be used in patients with impaired kidney function or lung disease.

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ble·o·my·cin (ble″o-miґsin) any of a mixture of glycopeptide antibiotics produced by a strain of Streptomyces verticillus, designated A₁ to A₆, A₂′, and B₁ to B₆, that bind to DNA causing chain scission and removal of purine and pyrimidine bases, resulting in inhibition of DNA synthesis and, to a lesser extent, RNA and protein synthesis and also accumulation of cells in the G₂ phase of the cell cycle. The drug used clinically is a mixture consisting primarily of bleomycins A₂ and B₂.