mitomycin

Mitomycin is a potent DNA cross-linking agent and cytotoxic antibiotic originally isolated from the bacterium *Streptomyces caespitosus*. It acts as a bioreductive alkylating agent; upon entering the cell, it undergoes enzymatic reduction to form reactive intermediates that create covalent cross-links between DNA strands, primarily at the N6 position of adenine and the O6 and N2 positions of guanine. This mechanism effectively inhibits DNA replication and transcription, leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. In the clinical management of Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC), mitomycin is frequently administered intravesically (directly into the bladder) to prevent tumor recurrence following transurethral resection or as a palliative treatment for patients with advanced local disease. Meroven Pharmaceuticals markets this agent under the brand name Oncozan.

Brand names

OncozanMutamycinMitomycin-C KyowaAmetycine

Other names

mitomycin Cmitomycin-C