What is Mitomycin Injection?

Mitomycin Injection has Mitomycin C in it, which is a strong antibiotic that fights cancer and comes from the bacteria Streptomyces caespitosus.

It is an alkylating agent that has special bioreductive activation capabilities.

Mitomycin destroys cells by binding DNA strands together.

This prevents DNA synthesis and cell division, which leads to death.

It is used both systemically for different solid tumors and locally (intravesically) for bladder cancer.

The medicine is in the form of a lyophilized powder.

You can mix it up again for an IV injection or an intravesical instillation.

Product Overview

Mitomycin C is the generic name of this solution.

The type of drug is an alkylating antineoplastic antibiotic.

C₁₅H₁₈N₄O₅ is the molecular formula.

334.33 grams per mole is the molecular weight.

Lyophilized powder form for injection.

The route of administration is intravenous infusion and intravesical instillation.

Indications / Uses

Mitomycin is used for:

Benefits

Side Effects

Mechanism of Action

Mitomycin C is a bioreductive alkylating chemical that, when activated by enzymes inside cells (especially when there isn’t enough oxygen), makes reactive intermediates that connect DNA strands together.

This stops DNA from copying itself and making RNA, which stops cells from dividing and eventually causes them to die.

Its activity is not limited to a certain stage of the cell cycle, however it is most efficient against cancer cells that are proliferating or resting in the late G1 and early S phases.

Dosage & Administration

IV Use (Adults):

IV every 6–8 weeks at a dose of 10–20 mg/m²

IV every 3–4 weeks, 8–12 mg/m²

The maximum cumulative dosage is 60 mg/m². This lowers the risk of hemolytic uremic syndrome and delayed myelosuppression.

Method of administration: a slow IV bolus over 3 to 5 minutes or an infusion of 20 to 50 mL of sodium chloride 0.9%.

Intravesical Use:

20 to 40 mg of Mitomycin in 20 to 40 mL of sterile water or saline is the dose range.

Frequency: Weekly instillations for 8 to 12 weeks, followed by maintenance regimens based on the urologist’s protocol.

Instructions: The patient should not drink anything for 4 to 6 hours before the procedure, and the solution should stay in the bladder for 1 to 2 hours.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to Mitomycin or its ingredients

Infections that are not under control

For use inside the bladder, rupture of the bladder wall, or active gross hematuria

Precautions & Warnings

Only take it if prescribed from people who are experts in oncology or urology.

Keep an eye on CBC, liver enzymes, and kidney function on a regular basis.

Patients with previous chest irradiation or concurrent bleomycin therapy have a higher risk of pulmonary damage.

Pregnancy Category D – teratogenic; contraception necessary during and after to treatment.

Do not breastfeed while on therapy or for a time following the last dosage.

Drug Interactions

Additive toxicity with other myelosuppressive drugs.

Vinca alkaloids with bleomycin raise the risk of lung problems.

During treatment, live vaccinations should not be used.

Drugs that are nephrotoxic may make kidney problems worse.

Storage & Handling

Keep unopened vials at room temperature (below 25°C) and out of the light.

You should use reconstituted solutions right away. If you need to store them, follow the manufacturer’s stability instructions.

When handling cytotoxic substances, wear gloves, masks, and protective clothes, and do so in a biological safety cabinet.

Clinical Considerations

In patients with renal or hepatic impairment, dose modification is necessary.

Elder people may be more sensitive to the harmful effects of drugs.

Check carefully for delayed myelosuppression for up to eight weeks after the treatment.

To lower systemic absorption, avoid catheterization stress while using intravesical.

Comparison With Other Anticancer Agents

Mitomycin C is not like most cancer medications.

It functions as an antibiotic that is activated by bioreduction and alkylates cells.

It works even in tumors with low oxygen levels and doesn’t have to be given at a certain time in the cell cycle.

Compared to platinums, it is less harmful to the kidneys and ears.

But it has a larger chance of causing delayed myelosuppression and hemolytic uremic syndrome.

It doesn’t cause heart problems like anthracyclines do, but it does have the potential of lung problems and vesicant toxicity.

It suppresses the marrow more than antimetabolites do. But it doesn’t cause hand-foot syndrome.

Also, it doesn’t cause as many GI adverse effects as topoisomerase inhibitors.

Its specific strength is in chemoradiation regimens, like for anal cancer, and intravesical bladder therapy.

Not many systemic medications function effectively in these locations.

FAQs

Can Mitomycin be used alone?

Yes. It can be used alone to treat bladder cancer (intravesical) and several other types of cancer that affect the whole body. But combined regimens usually work better.

How long does the treatment last?

It depends on the indication:

IV: Every 3–8 weeks, until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity or the side effects are too bad.

Intravesical: Usually 8 to 12 weekly instillations, with maintenance cycles sometimes following.

Is hair loss permanent?

No. Alopecia is usually just transient and goes away after therapy stops.