Bleomycin

A species of bleomycin noted for its adverse pulmonary effects in humans. It is a complex of related glycopeptide antibiotics from Streptomyces verticillus consisting of bleomycin A2 and B2. Bleomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic complex isolatedfrom Streptomyces verticillus initially by Umezawa. At least 13 different fractions of bleomycin have been isolatedwith the clinically used product (Blenoxane) being a mixtureof predominantly A22 (55%–70%) and B2 (25%–32%)fraction.
Bleomycin appears as colorless or yellowish powder. Possible bluish color depending on copper content. (NTP, 1992)
Bleomycin appears as colorless or yellowish powder. Possible bluish color depending on copper content. (NTP, 1992)|Bleomycin is a cystotoxic antibiotic that is used as an anticancer agent in the therapy of testicular and germ cell cancers, Hodgkin disease, lymphomas and tumors of the head and neck. Therapy with bleomycin in combination with other agents is often associated with mild-to-moderate serum enzyme elevations, but is a rare cause of clinically apparent liver injury.|A complex of related glycopeptide antibiotics from Streptomyces verticillus consisting of bleomycin A2 and B2. It inhibits DNA metabolism and is used as an antineoplastic, especially for solid tumors.