It was the first antibiotic shown to have anti-cancer activity, but is not normally used as such, as it is highly toxic, causing damage to genetic material. It is mainly used as an investigative tool in cell biology.

Actinomycin-D is marketed under the trade name Dactinomycin. It binds to DNA duplexes, thereby interfering with the action of enzymes engaged in replication and transcription. Actinomycin-D is one of the older chemotherapy drugs which has been used in therapy for many years. It is a clear, yellow liquid which is administered intravenously and most commonly used in treatment of a variety of cancers.

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Antineoplastic isn't antibiotic
From Nursing, 3/1/04 by Cohen, Michael R

NAME CONFUSION

A medical student erroneously wrote an order for dactinomycin, a cancer drug, when the attending physician actually wanted the patient to receive the antibiotic daptomycin. Fortunately, the pharmacist recognized that the ordered dose of 6 mg/kg/day of dactinomycin was excessive and called the attending physician for clarification.

If you're unfamiliar with a medication or its dosing, look up the information in a current drug refer- ence. Always make sure the medication is appropriate for your patient's diagnosis.

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