Mitomycin C is a broad-spectrum anti-tumor antibiotic extracted from Streptomyces bacteria. It has genotoxicity and anti-tumor activity. It is a widely recognized inhibitor of DNA damage. It has anti-cancer effect on many cancers. After activation, it can play the role of DNA alkylator. The principle of action is to depolymerize DNA of cells and selectively inhibit it. The synthesis of DNA, RNA and protein can inhibit the division of cancer cells.
Mitomycin C is a non-specific drug for cell cycle. It has a broad antitumor spectrum and rapid action, but its therapeutic index is not high and its toxicity is high. It is suitable for gastrointestinal cancer, such as gastric cancer, intestinal cancer, liver cancer and pancreatic cancer. It is also effective for lung cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer and chorioepithelial cancer. It can also be used for malignant lymphoma and malignant pleural and peritoneal effusion.
Mitomycin C is also a chemical mutagen, which can cause DNA mutation. Saffron extract can significantly inhibit the reproductive toxicity of cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, mitomycin C and ethyl carbamate, but the inhibition has no significant relationship with the dose. It can be predicted that the combination of Crocus sativus and other anticancer drugs is expected to reduce the toxicity and side effects of these anticancer drugs.
Common chemical mutagens of mitomycin C include pyrene in soot and automobile exhaust, ethyleneimine, formaldehyde and xylene in reagent, nitrite and aflatoxin in food, nitrogen mustard, phosphoramide, mitomycin C and actinomycin D in medicine, and some basic analogues, such as 5-fluorouracil, 6-mercaptoyl. Purine and 5-bromouracil can cause mutation.