Mithramycin

Mithramycin, also known as plicamycin and marketed under the brand name Mithracin, is an antineoplastic antibiotic produced by the bacterium *Streptomyces plicatus*. It was primarily used for the treatment of testicular cancer in patients unsuitable for surgery or radiation, as well as for managing hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria associated with advanced cancers. Additionally, it has been used in Paget's disease of bone and investigated in chronic myeloid leukemia. The drug acts mainly by binding to GC-rich regions of DNA, inhibiting both DNA and RNA synthesis—particularly affecting transcription factors such as Specificity protein 1 (Sp1)—which leads to disruption of gene expression involved in cell growth and differentiation. This results in anti-tumor effects including increased apoptosis, decreased angiogenesis, inhibition of cell growth, and reduced bone resorption through osteoclast inhibition. Production was discontinued by its manufacturer around 2000 due to toxicity concerns[1][2][4][5][6][7].

Brand names

Mithracin

Other names

aureolic acidmithramycin amitramycinplicatomycin