How it is administered

Bleomycin is provided as a sterile lyophilized powder for reconstitution. It can be administered in several ways:

• Intravenous (IV) injection
• Intramuscular (IM) injection
• Subcutaneous (under the skin) injection
• Intrapleural injection (directly into the chest cavity for certain conditions)

The medication is supplied in vials containing either 15 units or 30 units, and is dissolved in a suitable liquid before administration. The route and dose depend on the specific condition being treated and the patient's health status.

How it works

Bleomycin is an anticancer antibiotic that works mainly by interfering with the cancer cell's ability to make DNA, which is essential for cell growth and division. It causes breaks in the DNA strands, leading to cell death. This action is most prominent during certain phases of the cell cycle, particularly the G2 and mitosis phases.

In blood cancers such as Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, bleomycin helps to slow or stop the growth of cancerous lymphocytes. When used for malignant pleural effusion (fluid buildup in the chest due to cancer), it acts as a sclerosing agent, helping to prevent the re-accumulation of fluid by causing the pleural surfaces to stick together.

Who Should take it

Bleomycin is used as a palliative treatment in several types of cancer, including:

• Hodgkin's disease (a type of lymphoma)
• Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
• Certain testicular cancers (such as embryonal cell, choriocarcinoma, and teratocarcinoma)
• Some squamous cell carcinomas (head and neck, skin, cervix, etc.)
• Malignant pleural effusion (to prevent fluid buildup in the chest)

It can be used alone or in combination with other chemotherapy drugs, depending on the specific type and stage of cancer.

Who should not take it

Bleomycin should not be used in patients who have had a previous allergic or severe idiosyncratic reaction to the medication.

It should be used with extreme caution in people with significantly impaired kidney function or compromised lung function, as these conditions increase the risk of serious side effects. Pregnant women should avoid bleomycin because it can harm the developing fetus. Nursing mothers are also advised not to breastfeed while on this medication, as it is not known if it passes into breast milk.

Commonly used with

Bleomycin is often used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs. In blood cancers, it is commonly part of multi-drug regimens such as ABVD (Adriamycin, Bleomycin, Vinblastine, Dacarbazine) for Hodgkin's lymphoma.

It may also be used with drugs like cisplatin, vinblastine, and etoposide, depending on the cancer type and treatment protocol.

Commonly tested with

In clinical studies and standard treatment protocols, bleomycin is frequently tested in combination with other chemotherapy agents, particularly in regimens for Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. For example, it is a component of the ABVD regimen for Hodgkin's lymphoma and may be combined with cisplatin and vinblastine for testicular cancer.

Its safety and effectiveness have also been studied in comparison to other agents for the treatment of malignant pleural effusion.