Etoposide Health Dictionary

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Etoposide: From 1 Different Sources

n. a *cytotoxic drug derived from an extract of the mandrake plant that interferes with DNA replication (see topoisomerase inhibitor). It is used mainly in the treatment of bronchial carcinoma, lymphomas, and testicular tumours. Side-effects include alopecia, nausea, and marrow suppression.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Podophyllum Hexandrum

Royle.

Synonym: P. emodi Wall. ex Hook. f. & Thoms.

Family: Berberidaceae.

Habitat: Inner ranges of the Himalayas, from Kashmir to Sikkim at 1,800-4,000 m.

English: Indian Podophyllum.

Ayurvedic: Giriparpata.

Folk: Bana-kakari (Punjab), Venivel (Gujarat), Patvel (Maharashtra). Paapraa, Paapri.

Action: Rhizomes and roots— antineoplastic. Strongly irritant to skin and mucous membranes. Used topically as an ointment for venereal warts, verrucae and similar conditions.

Key application: P. peltatum— externally, for removal of pointed condyloma (skin adjacent to the treated area should be protected). (German Commission E.) P hexandrum: Podophyllin (10-40%) for external application, 2-6 h weekly, for anogenital warts. (Indian Herbal Pharmacopoeia.) (Podophyllin is a mitotic poison.)

May Apple of North America is equated with Podophyllum peltatum Linn. The main lignin is podophyllo- toxin. Podophyllum hexandrum contains similar lignans with the exception of alpha-and beta-peltatins, which are reportedly absent; the concentration of podophyllotoxin is up to 4.3%. P. peltatum contains about 0.25% and the Taiwanese species P. pleianthum 0.1% podophyllotoxin.

(Podophyllotoxin is a valuable lig- nin, as it is used for the synthesis of chemically administered cytostat- ic etoposide and tenoposide.)... podophyllum hexandrum

Teratoma

n. a tumour composed of a number of tissues that are not usually found at that site and are derived from all three embryonic *germ layers. Teratomas most frequently occur in the testis and ovary (see dermoid cyst), possibly derived from remnants of embryonic cells that have the ability to differentiate into many types of tissue; in most malignant teratomas, cells from all three *germ layers are present. Malignant teratoma of the testis is found in young men: it is more common in patients with a history of undescended testis. Like *seminoma, it frequently occurs as a painless swelling of one testis (pain is not a good indication that the swelling is benign). Treatment is by *orchidectomy avoiding an incision into the scrotum. The tumour can spread to lymph nodes, lungs, and bone, treatment of which may involve the use of chemotherapy drugs, such as vinblastine, bleomycin, cisplatin, and etoposide, with a high cure rate even in metastatic disease.

Teratomas often produce *alpha-fetoprotein, beta human chorionic gonadotrophin, or both; the presence of these substances (*tumour markers) in the blood is a useful indication of the amount of tumour and the effect of treatment.... teratoma

Topoisomerase Inhibitor

any one of a class of *cytotoxic drugs that work by blocking the action of topoisomerase enzymes, which promote the uncoiling of the DNA double helix, a necessary preliminary to replication. Topoisomerase I inhibitors include irinotecan, used for treating advanced colorectal cancer (especially in combination with *fluorouracil); and topotecan, given for treating advanced ovarian cancer, relapsed small-cell lung cancer, and recurrent cervical cancer. Side-effects include delayed but severe diarrhoea and reduction in blood-cell production by the bone marrow. Topoisomerase II inhibitors include *etoposide and *doxorubicin.... topoisomerase inhibitor

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