Doxorubicin and Bleomycin: The Antibiotics Fighting Against Cancer

Doxorubicin and Bleomycin: The Antibiotics Fighting Against Cancer

Following the discovery of penicillin as an antibiotic by Alexander Fleming in 1928, searches were carried out in order to discover more potent and specialist agents for specific bacterial infections.

Throughout this search, compounds synthesised from soil microbes proved to be a fantastic source of agents, of which many were shown to less of a selective bacterial toxicity, but have cytotoxic effects on tumours, a class called anthracyclines. They are believed to work by interfering with enzymes involved with DNA replication, leading to a reduced synthesis of DNA and cell death. Since, anthracyclines have been exclusively and widely used in the field of oncology, known as one of the most potent classes of drugs.

Much akin to the search for more potent and specific antibiotics, there has been a continuous search for stronger anthracyclines, with the aim of tackling drug resistance and cardiotoxic effects since the discovery of Doxorubicin as one of the first to be discovered in the 1960s. At Taj Accura, we offer two widely used anthracyclines, Doxorubicin and Bleomycin at the most reasonable cost. As advances in formulation and newer drugs are found in this field, we strive to work with our leading R & D team in order to provide the best and most cost efficient treatment to patients possible.

Conclusion: According to the British National Formulary, Bleomycin is indicated in the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and metastatic germ cell cancer, causing little bone marrow suppression. Taj Accura offers Bleomycin as the generic equivalent of Blenoxane, being indicated for squamous cell carcinoma and testicular carcinoma, being available as an injection for reconstitution in 15 units or 30 units per vial.

Doxorubicin on the other hand treats acute leukaemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas as well as solid breast cancer tumours1. At Taj Accura Pharmaceuticals, Doxorubicin is formulated as an injection for reconstitution, available in 10 mg or 50 mg doses per vial to the generic equivalent of Oncodox.